Ortom’s Former Aides Seek Accountability Over State Finances, Fault Alia’s Criticism of Past Government

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

A group of former political appointees who served under the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has challenged Governor Hyacinth Alia to provide a detailed account of over N1.

2 trillion allegedly received by the state since assuming office in May 2023, rather than continuing what they described as a campaign of falsehood against his predecessor.
The demand was contained in a statement jointly signed by the group’s Coordinator, Adzer Abya, and Secretary, Joseph Odaudu, and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
The former appointees said Governor Alia’s third anniversary in office has been marked more by propaganda and attacks on Ortom than by a comprehensive report of his administration’s performance or efforts to address growing concerns about governance and accountability in the state.
They specifically criticized repeated claims by Governor Alia and members of his administration that Ortom left behind four years of unpaid salaries, seven months of pensions and gratuities, and little to show for his eight-year tenure.
According to the group, such allegations are misleading and fail to reflect the difficult circumstances under which the Ortom administration operated.
They pointed out that Ortom’s tenure coincided with two economic recessions, declining oil revenues, reduced federal allocations, the COVID-19 pandemic, and persistent attacks by armed herdsmen.
The former appointees stated that despite those challenges, Ortom’s administration paid 91 out of 96 months of workers’ salaries and inherited liabilities totaling N72 billion in unpaid pensions and gratuities, as well as more than N90 billion in contractual obligations.
They further claimed that the Ortom administration paid about N42 billion of the inherited pension and gratuity liabilities and contributed over N8 billion to the Contributory Pension Scheme, which they described as a sustainable solution to pension challenges in the state.
Defending the former governor’s performance, the group highlighted achievements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and institutional reforms. They said more than 1,000 primary school projects were executed across the state, while secondary schools were renovated and equipped with learning materials.
In the health sector, they credited the Ortom administration with upgrading the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) through the acquisition of modern medical equipment, rehabilitation of facilities, and the establishment of specialized healthcare services.
They also cited the graduation of medical doctors from Benue State University (BSU) and renewed accreditation for nursing and midwifery institutions as notable accomplishments.
Other projects listed by the group included the establishment of the Benue Geographic Information Service (BENGIS), road construction projects across the state’s three senatorial districts, and the construction of modern palaces for the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma.
The group also defended Ortom’s handling of security issues, describing the enactment and implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 as one of the boldest policy decisions in Benue State’s history.
While acknowledging that insecurity remained a challenge during Ortom’s administration, the former appointees argued that the situation has worsened under Governor Alia, citing continued attacks on communities, increased displacement of residents, and the expansion of internally displaced persons’ camps across the state.
They recalled that Governor Alia had promised to facilitate the return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes within his first 100 days in office but noted that three years later, many victims remain in camps while fresh attacks continue to force more residents from their communities.
The former aides expressed concern over what they described as a lack of transparency in the management of public finances by the current administration. They claimed that Benue State received approximately N762.9 billion through FAAC allocations between May 2023 and May 2026, while the 23 local government councils received about N527.7 billion during the same period.
According to them, when internally generated revenue, development interventions, grants, donations, and a N100 billion domestic loan obtained in October 2025 are added, total inflows to the state exceed N1.2 trillion within three years.
The group questioned why, despite the huge revenues, many communities allegedly lack visible government projects, with rural roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and water schemes remaining in poor condition. They also raised concerns over reports that the administration is seeking legislative approval for an additional N250 billion loan.
They called for full disclosure of all revenues, allocations, loans, grants, and donations received by the state since May 2023, as well as details of expenditures, procurement processes, security strategies, and humanitarian interventions for victims of attacks and displaced persons.
The former appointees further demanded transparency regarding donations reportedly made by President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, the European Union, and other humanitarian organizations for victims of attacks in Benue State.
Maintaining that the era of blaming previous administrations should be over, the group insisted that Governor Alia must take responsibility for the current state of affairs in Benue and provide answers to citizens on governance, security, and public spending.
“The time for excuses is over. The time for accountability is now,” the statement concluded, while reiterating that Ortom’s record remains open to public scrutiny and should not be distorted through what it described as political propaganda.