By Caleb Ayemere
Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has accused incumbent Governor Hyacinth Alia of running the state on a foundation of lies, deceit and hypocrisy, while systematically undermining the rule of law and shutting out stakeholders.
The remarks were made during an interview on Arise News, where Ortom analysed the political situation in Benue ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Ortom said the Alia administration, now in its third year, has abandoned democratic norms. “What we are witnessing in the last three years and some months is that here is a government that doesn’t believe in the rule of law, but believes in witch hunting, believes in running opponents down,” he stated.
He cited the seizure of 23 official vehicles allocated to him and members of his former administration. According to Ortom, the vehicles were legitimately approved by the State Executive Council as used assets after more than four years of service. He said the government took them without prior notice.
