….Says gov hiding failures with false allegations
….Probe meant to uncover gaps in handover records—Alia’s aide
By Peter Duru
MAKURDI—Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday, challenged Governor Hyacinth Alia to a public debate over the management of state resources, accusing the administration of poor governance, financial mismanagement and a sustained campaign to tarnish his legacy.
Ortom, who spoke with journalists in Makurdi, dismissed allegations by a state government panel that about N139 billion was unaccounted for during his administration, describing the claim as false and politically motivated.
The former governor also rejected allegations that he left behind debts exceeding N300 billion, insisting that the figures being circulated by the government were misleading.
“I want to challenge the governor to a debate. Let him come clean. Let him come and we discuss these matters openly with facts and figures. Let him bring his facts, and I will bring mine,” Ortom said.
According to him, Benue State received about N817 billion during his eight-year tenure, while more than N1.3 trillion had accrued to the state within three years of the Alia administration.
“Within three years, over N1.3 trillion has come into Benue State. What has been done with it? Other states are commissioning projects and clearing salary arrears, but here, people are asking questions. This government commissioned only 10.5 kilometres of roads in three years. It is laughable,” he stated.
Ortom accused the governor of failing to unite the state and engage critical stakeholders since assuming office.
“He has not called a single stakeholders’ meeting since he became governor. Leadership is about listening to people. No human being has a monopoly of knowledge,” he said.
Ortom also renewed his criticism of clerics participating in partisan politics, insisting that priesthood and politics require different orientations.
“Priests should remain in the priesthood and allow politicians to do politics. A priest represents God. Their training is different. In politics, people criticise you, challenge you and insult you. That is part of the game,” he said.
Reflecting on his relationship with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, Ortom admitted regretting his declaration after the 2019 election that he had politically retired the former governor.
“I said I had retired Akume, but when I got home that night and prayed, God told me that statement was arrogant. I regretted it because I am not the one who gives power; it is God who gives power,” he said.
The former governor, who described Akume as his political leader, said both men were now working together in the interest of Benue State.
Responding, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, said the governor was not pursuing any vendetta against his predecessor.
“Governor Alia is not out for any vendetta against Mr. Ortom. Handover notes are meant to be studied. When you study them and discover lapses and gaps, you are bound to invite legitimate authorities to help unravel the grey areas. That is exactly what Governor Alia did,” Kula said.
He disclosed that Ortom was invited several times to appear before the commission of inquiry but allegedly chose to send legal representatives, while some former officials of his administration appeared and testified.
Kula maintained that the Alia administration inherited enormous challenges, including unpaid salaries, pensions and a heavy debt burden.
“No person with conscience would have ignored the mess that was met on the ground — seven months of unpaid salaries for state workers, 11 months for local government workers and teachers, over 76 months of unpaid pensions and gratuities, heavy debt burden and questionable records,” he said.
He also faulted comparisons between the two administrations, arguing that economic realities had changed significantly since Ortom left office.
According to him, rising inflation and construction costs had affected project execution across the country.
Kula further alleged that the state was currently battling several garnishee orders running into billions of naira, which he attributed to decisions taken by the previous administration.
