The Bitter Political War Between Ortom and Alia in Benue
The political atmosphere in Benue State has grown tense again. Former Governor Samuel Ortom has accused his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of running the state on what he called “lies,
In Benue State, tensions have once again escalated in the political sphere. Former Governor Samuel Ortom has accused his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of running the state based on "lies, deceit and hypocrisy." Ortom, who previously governed Benue from 2015 to 2023, has intensified this rivalry since Alia assumed office in May 2023.
A central point of contention is financial management. Alia’s administration states they allocate approximately N7.4 billion each month to service debt inherited from Ortom’s tenure, amounting to over N21.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025 alone. However, Ortom disputes this figure, pointing out that Benue received over N1.3 trillion under Alia, compared to N817 billion during his eight-year tenure. This increase is attributed to the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Another issue of contention is the governor's unilateral spending limit, which Alia increased from N50 million to N250 million. Ortom criticized this move, claiming it undermines fiscal responsibility. Additionally, 23 vehicles were seized from Ortom shortly after his departure from office. While Ortom's officials stated this seizure was lawful, he dismissed it as a "witch hunt." The case eventually reached the Benue High Court, which dismissed Ortom's suit as speculative.
Security is another area of disagreement. Alia asserts that his government has put an end to the violent uprisings that characterized Ortom's final years. However, Ortom refutes this, citing ongoing attacks in Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala. Alia’s administration boasts several achievements, including the recruitment of 9,700 teachers, clearing salary arrears, and closing down substandard schools within its first two years.
Ortom, on the other hand, alleges that Alia has disregarded a Supreme Court ruling granting local governments financial autonomy.
Despite the accusations, both administrations highlight contrasting narratives of the state's progress. Benue residents continue to grapple with insecurity, economic challenges, and infrastructure deficiencies, issues neither side disputes. The ongoing exchange between Ortom and Alia suggests that the political rivalry between them will remain intense, further entrenching Benue's political divisions in public view.
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