Former Benue Governor Ortom Vows to Expose Looting and Corruption in Alia’s Administration
The former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has declared that he will expose the alleged looting, hypocrisy and evil actions taking place under Governor Hyacinth Alia’s leadership. Speaking to journalists at his residence in the Judges Quarters along Gboko Road in Makurdi, Ortom said that from today onward he will bring to light the misuse of state resources and the ceding of Benue land to foreigners.
Ortom added that numerous false accusations have been levelled against him over the past three years, and that staying silent would amount to admitting guilt. He stressed the need to defend himself and let the public know that what Alia’s government is doing amounts to persecution.
He also challenged his successor to a public debate, proposing that both administrations compare their performances based on the resources each has managed.
Reflecting on his earlier political differences with Senator George Akume, Ortom expressed regret for a 2019 comment in which he made in which he claimed to have “retired Akume politically.” He said the remark was born out of arrogance and that, after prayer, he recognised that only God determines a person’s destiny. Ortom noted that he has since reconciled with Akume, describing him as his leader and a continued political force, and that they are now working together through a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the “Benue project,” despite belonging to different parties.
Ortom argued that Nigeria’s current challenges demand that leaders rise above partisan loyalties and prioritize the interests of the state and nation.
Alia’s Administration Responds to Ortom’s Allegations
In reaction, Governor Alia’s office, through Chief Press Secretary Kula Tersoo, said the former governor left behind a questionable debt burden. The administration maintains it is not pursuing a vendetta against Ortom, explaining that handover notes are reviewed to identify gaps, after which legitimate authorities are invited to investigate—just as Ortom himself did when he probed his predecessor, Senator Gabriel Suswam.
Alia’s team pointed out that Ortom needs to explain why he felt comfortable investigating Suswam’s government but objects to being scrutinised himself. They added that the current government continues to deal with the fallout of Ortom’s tenure, citing frequent garnishee orders amounting to billions, which they attribute to poor procedural handling during the previous administration—a period locals have dubbed the “years of the locusts.”
