Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has fired back at his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, accusing him of using past leadership as a scapegoat for the lingering insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his former Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom expressed dismay over what he described as the Alia administration’s obsession with deflecting blame rather than providing solutions. He made the comments in response to Governor Alia’s claim that over four million people were displaced during Ortom’s tenure.
Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, had said: “Under Ortom’s watch, Benue State recorded the highest number of IDPs in its history, with over four million people displaced from their ancestral homes. This figure underscores the failure of reactive rhetoric without strategic support for security architecture.”
But Akase dismissed the figure as both false and misleading.
“At no time did Chief Ortom claim there were four million IDPs. The administration worked with reputable humanitarian agencies to generate accurate, verifiable data. The 1.5 million figure was officially documented and is the same figure Governor Alia inherited, accepted, and presented to partners,” he stated.
Akase also accused the Alia-led government of turning every issue into an avenue to attack Ortom.
“From the day he assumed office, Governor Alia and his aides have made it their mission to drag Ortom’s name into every matter, whether relevant or not. This obsession won’t solve the crisis in the state,” he said.
Highlighting recent developments, Akase condemned the government’s response to a protest by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Makurdi International Market camp, where residents lamented hunger and neglect.
“While IDPs were protesting hunger and neglect, the Executive Secretary of SEMA was seen attending a lavish wedding in the United Kingdom. We expected a press release that would address that shameful insensitivity. Instead, what we got was yet another attack on Ortom,” he added.
He further advised Governor Alia to stop blaming others and instead act on the security recommendations given by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit to Benue.
“Mr. President gave practical steps to address insecurity in Benue. Rather than act, Governor Alia keeps spinning excuses — one day blaming foreign mercenaries, the next day it’s ‘Abuja politicians,’ and now even religious leaders,” Akase concluded.
The exchange signals ongoing political tensions in Benue as the state grapples with worsening displacement and rising insecurity.
