MAKURDI, Nigeria – Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has fired back at his successor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, advising him to concentrate on governing Benue State rather than engaging in a witch-hunt.
Through a statement issued on Friday, June 9, 2023, by his spokesperson, Terver Akase, the former governor indicated that he is aware of the accusations and blame being directed towards him by Rev Alia.
The former governor further stated that the new governor had more than once over the past two weeks used him as a scapegoat for various issues.
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“The Governor has accused his predecessor of carrying out recruitment into the civil service without due process, of leaving behind an empty treasury, and of looting government vehicles, among several other unfounded accusations,” Akase noted.
The spokesperson defended Ortom’s administration by stating that due process was followed in all recruitments and promotions, and the Benue State Executive Council sanctioned any vehicle usage by Ortom.
He further pointed out that despite the financial challenges of the state, the Ortom administration took proactive steps to negotiate and ensure significant debt reduction, pointing to figures and specific efforts to underscore their point.
Akase, on behalf of Ortom, urged Governor Alia to pay more attention to his handover notes, detailing the state’s debt situation and efforts made to alleviate it.
Ortom, through his spokesman, urged Alia to avoid engaging in a media trial and noted that he is ready to provide clarity on any issues about his administration at any time.
Highlighting that governance is a continuum, Ortom pointed out that he too inherited assets and liabilities when he took office, but did not let that hamper his government.
He asserted that he had played his part and now left the stage for Alia to continue.
The former governor appears to be advocating for a focus on the future and the tasks at hand, rather than dwelling on the past.
