Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has accused Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of undermining the rule of law and shutting out stakeholders from governance.
Ortom made the allegations during an interview with Arise News while discussing Benue’s political situation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The former governor alleged that the Alia administration had abandoned democratic principles since assuming office.
He accused the government of using what he described as “witch hunting” against political opponents.
According to Ortom, the administration was “running opponents down” instead of upholding the rule of law.
One of the issues he cited was the seizure of 23 official vehicles allocated to him and members of his former administration.
Ortom said the State Executive Council had approved the vehicles as used assets after more than four years of service.
He alleged that the government took the vehicles without prior notice.
The former governor said he challenged the seizure in court.
According to him, the court ordered the return of the vehicles and awarded him ₦5 million in damages.
Ortom, however, said the vehicles had not been returned.
“As I talk to you those vehicles have not been given to me. He hasn’t even appealed,” he said.
He described the situation as evidence of disregard for judicial decisions.
The Ortom Alia allegations also extended to traditional rulers.
Ortom claimed Alia directed traditional rulers not to receive him during a recent visit to his kinsmen.
“The governor directed that no chief should receive me, and I shouldn’t speak to any of them,” Ortom claimed.
Ortom further accused the administration of failing to convene stakeholders’ meetings across political divides.
He also alleged that local government autonomy remained largely nominal in the state.
According to him, council chairmen lacked the freedom to execute independent projects or properly account for their activities.
He contrasted Alia’s pre-election image as a healing priest with his performance in office.
“No single person can say that I was healed by Alia’s ministry,” Ortom said.
He added that Benue residents had been “deceived” and were increasingly recognising the difference between campaign promises and reality.
The former governor also criticised the handling of security issues.
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu directed Alia, after the Yelewata massacre, to convene former governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
Ortom said the proposed meeting had yet to take place.
“Our governor has refused to summon that meeting,” he stated.
“He doesn’t listen to anybody. He says he’s an independent person, so it is what he wants that he does.”
Ortom also said he had offered support to Alia before his inauguration but had since been unable to reach him.
“Since that meeting till today, the man hasn’t picked my call,” he said.
Despite his criticism of the Benue government, Ortom said he supports President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027.
He said he remained aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Ortom added that he and his supporters in Benue were working for Tinubu.
At the state level, however, he said he would support preferred candidates for governor, Senate, House of Representatives and the House of Assembly, without naming them.
The former governor also linked growing opposition to what he described as public disillusionment.
He cited PDP governorship aspirant Michael Auduaka as one figure gaining traction among residents.
Ortom maintained that democracy requires accountability and inclusion.
“Democracy is about the people. So where you don’t allow the people to see you and talk to you… nothing is happening,” he concluded.
