Ortom’s Aide Denounces Alia’s Salary Allegations
A media aide to former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Tever Akase, has accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of spreading falsehoods about his predecessor’s ability to pay civil servants’ salaries.
Speaking on Arise News on Monday, Akase dismissed claims that Ortom’s administration was unable to meet salary obligations.
He revealed that, out of the 96 months in Ortom’s eight‑year tenure, the government paid salaries for 91 months.
Akase questioned how the remaining five months could be portrayed as “four years” of unpaid wages.
He challenged Governor Alia to provide transparent accounting of the funds he has received since taking office.
“Governor Alia is not telling Benue people how much he is receiving. Since he came in, there has not been any accountability briefing. As we speak, local government workers are on strike because Alia has not paid them the salaries for March and April.”
— Tever Akase
He reiterated Ortom’s payment record, asking: “If he paid 91 months, how is that four years? How has five months metamorphosed into four years?”
Akase also criticised the governor’s road project claims, stating that Alia announced a one‑kilometre road valued at ₦5.2 billion, yet approved ₦68 billion for a 13‑kilometre stretch — implying the same per‑kilometre cost.
“A governor of the state comes to television, instead of telling the people the truth, he is telling lies; you have to be truthful, there should be integrity in governance,” Akase concluded.
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