Stop Using Me As A Scapegoat! – Ortom Fires Back At Gov Alia Over Benue Insecurity

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has cautioned his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, to stop using him as a scapegoat for the worsening insecurity and humanitarian crisis in the state, stressing that “name-calling won’t stop the killings.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by his former Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom expressed disappointment over what he described as Alia’s apparent “obsession” with his name and legacy.

“Since taking office, Governor Alia and his team have relentlessly dragged Ortom’s name into nearly every issue, relevant or not. This fixation will not solve Benue’s security challenges,” Akase stated.

The fresh clash follows Alia’s recent claim that over four million people were displaced under Ortom’s watch — a figure Ortom’s camp swiftly dismissed as inaccurate and misleading.

In a response, Alia’s spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, accused Ortom’s administration of presiding over the worst displacement crisis in Benue’s history. He said the figure reflects the failure of mere rhetoric in the absence of solid security strategy.

Akase countered the claim, clarifying that Ortom never stated such a figure. He insisted that the officially verified number of displaced persons during Ortom’s tenure stood at 1.5 million, confirmed in partnership with international humanitarian organisations.

“Governor Alia himself inherited and acknowledged this figure in documents presented to aid partners,” Akase added.

He also criticized the Alia administration’s response to a recent protest by IDPs at Makurdi International Market camp, where displaced persons lamented hunger and neglect.

“While IDPs were protesting starvation, the Executive Secretary of SEMA was spotted attending a lavish wedding in the UK,” Akase alleged.

Instead of addressing the suffering of displaced persons, Akase said the government chose to deflect attention by launching another attack on Ortom.

He urged Governor Alia to focus on implementing the security strategy laid out by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit to Benue.

“The President provided clear, actionable steps. But instead of acting, Alia keeps making excuses — blaming foreign mercenaries today, Abuja politicians tomorrow, and even religious leaders the next,” Akase concluded.