Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has taken a swipe at Governor Hyacinth Alia, saying the governor’s background as a Catholic priest and his reputation for healing did not translate into the “healing” of Benue under his administration. Ortom made the remark during an interview on Arise News while assessing the performance of the Alia administration and the political situation in the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Recalling Alia’s pre-election image as a priest associated with healing, Ortom said Benue residents had expected the governor to bring healing and reconciliation to the state. He claimed those expectations had not been met. “No single person can say that I was healed by Alia’s ministry,” Ortom said.
The former governor accused the Alia administration of abandoning democratic norms and running the state in a manner he described as inconsistent with the rule of law. He alleged that the government had resorted to witch-hunting and the persecution of political opponents. “What we are witnessing in the last three years and some months is that here is a government that doesn’t believe in the rule of law, but believes in witch hunting, believes in running opponents down,” he said.
Ortom also accused the administration of shutting out stakeholders and failing to create enough room for consultation on major issues affecting the state. According to him, Benue people were “deceived” by the image and promises presented before the 2023 election and were now beginning to see a difference between those expectations and the reality of governance.
He cited his dispute with the state government over 23 official vehicles as an example of what he described as disregard for the rule of law. Ortom said the vehicles, which he used after more than four years of service, were later taken by the Alia administration without prior notice. He challenged the action in court and secured a judgement ordering the return of the vehicles alongside an award of N5 million in damages. “As I talk to you those vehicles have not been given to me. He hasn’t even appealed,” he said.
Ortom further alleged that Alia had directed traditional rulers not to receive him during a recent visit to his kinsmen in connection with his wife’s senatorial ambition. “The governor directed that no chief should receive me, and I shouldn’t speak to any of them,” he claimed.
He also criticised the administration over its handling of security and stakeholder engagement, alleging that the governor had failed to convene a meeting involving former governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders despite a directive from President Bola Tinubu. “Our governor has refused to summon that meeting,” Ortom said. “He doesn’t listen to anybody. He says he’s an independent person, so it is what he wants that he does.”
The former governor said he had met Alia before his inauguration, handed over notes and offered to support his administration, but claimed that he had since been unable to reach the governor. “Since that meeting till today, the man hasn’t picked my call,” Ortom said.
Despite his criticism of the governor, Ortom disclosed that he would support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. He also said he remained aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and would support preferred candidates at the state and federal legislative levels, as well as his choice for governor of Benue State.
