By Caleb Ayemere
Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has accused incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia of running the state on a foundation of lies, deceit and hypocrisy, while systematically undermining the rule of law and shutting out stakeholders.
The remarks were made during an interview on Arise News, where Ortom analysed the political situation in Benue ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Ortom said the Alia administration, now in its third year, has abandoned democratic norms. “What we are witnessing in the last three years and some months is that here is a government that doesn’t believe in the rule of law, but believes in witch hunting, believes in running opponents down,” he stated.
He cited the seizure of 23 official vehicles allocated to him and members of his former administration. According to Ortom, the vehicles were legitimately approved by the State Executive Council as used assets after more than four years of service. He said the government took them without prior notice.
Ortom said he took the matter to court and won, adding that court ordered the return of the vehicles and awarded him ₦5 million in damages.
“As I talk to you those vehicles have not been given to me. He hasn’t even appealed,” Ortom said, describing the non-compliance as clear evidence of disregard for judicial decisions.
He further alleged that the governor ordered traditional rulers not to receive him when he visited his kinsmen recently to discuss his wife’s senatorial ambition.
“The governor directed that no chief should receive me, and I shouldn’t speak to any of them,” Ortom claimed.
The former governor also accused the administration of refusing to hold stakeholders’ meetings across party lines since assuming office. He said local government autonomy exists only on paper in Benue, with council chairmen unable to execute independent projects or render proper accounts.
Ortom contrasted Governor Alia’s pre-election image as a healing priest with his performance in office. “No single person can say that I was healed by Alia’s ministry,” he said, adding that Benue people “were deceived” and are now realising the gap between campaign promises and reality.
On security, Ortom recalled that President Bola Tinubu, during a visit after the Yelewata massacre, directed the governor to convene a meeting of former governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions. He said the meeting has never been held.
“Our governor has refused to summon that meeting,” Ortom stated. “He doesn’t listen to anybody. He says he’s an independent person, so it is what he wants that he does.”
He disclosed that he met Alia before the latter’s inauguration, handed over notes and offered continued support, but has not been able to reach the governor since. “Since that meeting till today, the man hasn’t picked my call,” Ortom said.
The former governor linked the growing political opposition to public disillusionment. He noted that figures such as PDP governorship aspirant Michael Auduaka are gaining traction because residents have “decided to move from what they were doing in 2023 to a different thing.”
Ortom maintained that the state is not benefiting from increased federal allocations following fuel subsidy removal. He said development remains concentrated in Makurdi while the 23 local government areas show little visible impact.
Despite his sharp criticism of the state government, Ortom declared support for President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. He said he remains aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and that he and his supporters in Benue are working for the President.
At the state level, Ortom said he would back preferred candidates for governor, Senate, House of Representatives and the House of Assembly, without naming them in the interview.
He insisted that democracy requires accountability and inclusiveness. “Democracy is about the people. So where you don’t allow the people to see you and talk to you… nothing is happening,” Ortom concluded.
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