Samuel Ortom, the former governor of Benue State, has accused his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of launching personal attacks against him as a deliberate distraction from alleged financial mismanagement and controversies linked to a recently sanctioned ₦100 billion loan.
In a statement released on Saturday by Ortom’s Media Adviser, Terver Akase, the former governor dismissed the Alia administration’s remarks as “unfounded and diversionary,” asserting that they aim to shift public attention away from increasing concerns about the state government’s fiscal transparency.
Akase criticized Governor Alia for evading substantive questions raised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding the loan and the overall financial health of Benue State, instead opting to target Ortom personally.
“Whenever Governor Alia faces inquiries about governance transparency or the welfare of Benue citizens, his immediate response is to attack Chief Ortom rather than present clear data and explanations,” Akase stated.
He further accused the current administration of demonstrating “a declining tolerance for accountability” and an “unwarranted fixation on implicating Ortom in every matter, regardless of relevance.”
The statement also challenged the Alia government’s management of the substantial revenues accruing to the state since May 2023, highlighting alleged irregularities such as contract awards lacking proper procedures or budgetary approval.
Akase cited specific projects, including a ₦68.3 billion road construction from Wurukum Roundabout to the Air Force Base in Makurdi, and another ₦73 billion project reportedly benefiting the governor’s hometown in Vandeikya Local Government Area, as examples of questionable expenditures.
He accused the administration of shrouding state finances in secrecy despite increased federal allocations following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Akase also challenged the government’s inconsistent statements regarding the state’s debt, pointing out discrepancies in reported figures.
“The administration claims to have spent ₦214.6 billion on debt servicing over 29 months-an amount ₦52.5 billion greater than the ₦162.1 billion total debt it declared,” he remarked, casting doubt on the accuracy of these numbers.
The statement noted that by May 2023, the Ortom government had secured pending federal approvals, including a ₦41 billion bailout balance, a ₦20 billion Central Bank of Nigeria facility, and anticipated refunds from subsidy and SURE-P deductions. Akase urged the current administration to disclose whether these funds have been received and how they have been utilized.
Additionally, Akase accused the Alia administration of mismanaging local government finances, alleging that despite unprecedented allocations, “none of the 23 councils have initiated any development projects,” contrasting this with Ortom’s tenure when “local governments actively competed to implement projects.”
He emphasized that Ortom’s administration left behind “documented evidence” of its financial dealings and completed projects, challenging Governor Alia to release official handover documents if he disputes this.
“The people of Benue entrusted him to govern effectively, not to engage in vendettas against his predecessor,” Akase concluded.
“Chief Ortom has moved forward with dignity as a statesman and expects Governor Alia to leverage the state’s resources more responsibly.”
