MAKURDI, June 24 — A fresh political dispute has erupted in Benue State, with former Governor Samuel Ortom accusing his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of hiding his administration’s failures behind false allegations of financial mismanagement. The exchange marks the latest chapter in a tense relationship between the two leaders, who have traded barbs over the state’s governance and finances since the transition of power.
Ortom, who served as governor before Alia took office, pushed back against what he described as a probe designed not to uncover genuine gaps in handover records, but to distract from the current administration’s own shortcomings. He asserted that the investigation into his tenure was a political tool, not a good-faith effort to ensure accountability.
The former governor’s comments came in response to statements from Alia’s aide, who had defended the probe as a necessary step to review the records left behind by the previous administration. The aide maintained that the inquiry was meant to identify any discrepancies in the handover documents and ensure a transparent transfer of power. But Ortom was blunt in his rebuttal.
He argued that the Alia administration was using the probe to shift public attention away from what he termed “bad governance” and a lack of tangible progress on key issues affecting the people of Benue. He did not specify which areas of governance he considered failing, but his remarks suggested a broad dissatisfaction with the direction of the state under his successor.
The dispute underscores the fragility of political relationships in Benue, a state that has seen its share of leadership transitions and internal party conflicts. Both men belong to the same political party, making the public disagreement all the more notable. Party insiders have watched the feud with growing concern, fearing it could deepen divisions ahead of future elections.
For now, the back-and-forth remains largely rhetorical. No formal charges have been filed against Ortom, and the probe appears to be at an early stage. The Alia administration has not released detailed findings from its review of the handover records, leaving the public to speculate about what, if anything, the investigation has uncovered.
What is clear is that the relationship between Benue’s former and current governors has soured considerably. Ortom’s accusation that Alia is hiding failures behind false allegations is a serious one, and it places the burden on the current governor to demonstrate that his administration’s focus on the past is not a distraction from present challenges.
Observers in Makurdi say the coming weeks will be telling. If the probe yields concrete evidence of wrongdoing, it could vindicate Alia’s approach. If it does not, Ortom’s claims of a politically motivated witch hunt may gain more traction among the public.
For the people of Benue, who have endured years of economic hardship and security concerns, the priority remains effective governance and tangible results. The bickering between their leaders offers little comfort on that front.
