A political war of words has erupted between Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and his predecessor, Samuel Ortom, over the ₦100 billion loan recently approved by the Benue State House of Assembly.
The loan, approved during an emergency session last Friday, is meant to fund major infrastructure projects across the state, including the renovation of 23 general hospitals, construction of smart schools, and completion of roads, bridges, and electricity projects.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, criticised the move, saying the Alia administration had already received large federal allocations and should not burden the state with more debt.
In response, Alia, through his media aide Kula Tersoo, accused Ortom’s administration of “democratising poverty” and leaving behind “a mountain of debt.”
He said, “The PDP-led administration of Samuel Ortom left behind a staggering direct debt burden of ₦187.7 billion. We later discovered an additional ₦170 billion owed through local governments, bringing the total debt to ₦359 billion.”
Alia also alleged that despite receiving bailout funds, LNG funds, and Paris Club refunds from the Federal Government, Ortom’s government still failed to pay salaries and pensions.
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But Ortom, in a swift reply through his aide Terver Akase, accused Alia of “playing the ostrich” and avoiding questions about transparency and accountability.
“Each time Governor Alia is confronted with questions about transparency or the welfare of Benue people, his reflex action is to attack Chief Ortom instead of providing facts and figures,” Akase said.
He criticised the governor for not explaining how recent funds and federal allocations have been spent, and for remaining silent on major contracts — including a ₦68.3 billion road project in Makurdi and a ₦73 billion project leading to Alia’s village in Vandeikya.
“Why the secrecy surrounding the state’s finances? Rather than address legitimate concerns, Governor Alia has chosen the path of diversion, resorting to insults and false claims,” Ortom asked.
The heated exchange has deepened political tensions in Benue, as residents watch closely to see how the state government will handle the new ₦100 billion loan and ongoing infrastructure challenges.