{
  "id": 7050685,
  "title": "Ortom: Why I Lent Obi My Vehicle During Benue Visit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/ortom-why-i-lent-obi-my-vehicle-during-benue-visit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T03:05:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/13/ortom-why-i-lent-obi-my-vehicle-during-benue-visit/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom explained why he loaned his vehicle to the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, during his visit to the state. He accused Governor Hyacinth Alia's administration of attempting to divert attention from the state's issues by attacking him and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa. Ortom emphasized that it was both ridiculous and shameful to criminalize or politicize a simple act of providing a vehicle to a fellow Nigerian leader. He defended his actions by stating that Peter Obi, a former governor and presidential candidate, deserves respect and courtesy, particularly when visiting internally displaced persons in Benue State. Ortom challenged Alia to explain his achievements as governor and stop attacking his political opponents.",
  "summary": ". Challenges Gov Alia to explain his achievements Chuks Okocha in Abuja and George Okoh in Makurdi The immediate past governor of Benue State, Mr Samuel Ortom, has explained why he",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Why I lent Obi my vehicle during Benue visit — Ortom",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/why-i-lent-obi-my-vehicle-during-benue-visit-ortom",
        "published": "2026-09-12T15:02:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Benue visit: Why I allowed Obi use my Vehicle – Ortom",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/benue-visit-why-i-allowed-obi-use-my-vehicle-ortom",
        "published": "2026-09-12T18:17:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Ortom explains reasons for lending Peter Obi his vehicle for Benue visit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/ortom-explains-reasons-for-lending-peter-obi-his-vehicle-for-benue",
        "published": "2026-09-12T20:00:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}