The alleged involvement of former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, in the recent visit of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), to Makurdi has sparked questions over the political relationship between the two politicians.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, raised the questions on Friday while addressing a press conference at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi.
Kula said Obi recently visited Makurdi, with the circumstances surrounding his movement in and out of the state generating public interest following reports of an alleged attempt to restrict his movement.
He said the state government had commenced an investigation into the incident and that preliminary information indicated that the vehicle used to convey Obi from the Makurdi Airport was allegedly linked to Ortom.
Obi was reportedly seen in a Toyota Land Cruiser said to be registered in Ortom’s name, with registration number ABUJA: GWA 608 BT.
Kula said a check of vehicle information records attributed to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) indicated that the vehicle was registered to Ortom and associated with an address in Judges Quarters, Makurdi.
He also presented other vehicle details which he said were obtained from the FRSC records, including the vehicle’s make, model, chassis number and application date.
According to Kula, the development raised questions about Ortom’s relationship with Obi, particularly in view of the former governor’s stated position on the 2027 presidential election.
He recalled that Ortom had, in a recent media interview, expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Kula also referred to Ortom’s continued influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State and his alleged role in the emergence of Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, as the party’s governorship candidate in the state.
“The question is, how can someone who publicly says he is working for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu make his vehicle available for the use of another presidential candidate?” Kula asked.
The governor’s spokesman suggested that the alleged use of the vehicle could indicate a difference between Ortom’s public political position and his private political relationships.
He said the development had also renewed discussions about Ortom’s political influence in Benue as activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.
Kula further criticised Ortom’s eight-year administration, accusing the former governor of maladministration and alleging that he was attempting to retain political influence through allies and political proxies.
He urged residents of the state to closely monitor the political activities and emerging alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The allegations contained in Kula’s briefing had not, in the statement provided, been independently confirmed by Ortom or his representatives.
Why was Ortom’s vehicle used for Peter Obi’s makurdi visit – Gov Alia’s aide asks