Former appointees of immediate past Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, have demanded that Governor Hyacinth Alia provide a detailed account of over ₦1.2 trillion allegedly received by the state since he assumed office in May 2023.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Coordinator Dr. Adzer Abya and Secretary Joseph Odaudu, the group under the banner of “Benue Family” challenged the Alia administration on the management of public funds amid worsening insecurity and displacement of residents.
The former officials disclosed that between May 2023 and May 2026, Benue State received approximately ₦762.9 billion in FAAC allocations, while the 23 local governments got about ₦527.7 billion. They also cited ₦79 billion in internally generated revenue, foreign interventions, donations, and a ₦100 billion domestic loan obtained in October 2025, bringing the total inflows to more than ₦1.2 trillion.
The group questioned the rationale behind reports that the Alia administration is seeking approval for an additional ₦250 billion loan despite these substantial revenues. They further called for full disclosure on deductions from local government allocations for humanitarian interventions, the state’s wage bill, expenditure on major projects, and the administration’s security strategy for resettling displaced persons.
Reacting to claims by the current administration against the Ortom government, the ex-appointees described such narratives as “false, reckless and deliberately misleading.” They defended Ortom’s record, noting that his administration paid 91 out of 96 months of salaries despite severe economic challenges, including recession, declining oil revenues, COVID-19, and herders’ attacks.
The group insisted that the era of blaming previous administrations should end, urging Governor Alia to focus on transparency and good governance.
“The people deserve accountability, transparency, security and development. The time for excuses is over. The time for accountability is now,” the statement concluded.
The Benue State Government is yet to issue an official response to the demands.
