Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, while accusing his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of undermining democracy, refusing to respect the rule of law and failing to address the state’s security challenges.
Ortom made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview with ARISE NEWS, where he also endorsed his preferred candidates for the 2027 elections at the state level.
The former governor said he and his political associates in Benue had moved on from the political decisions that led to Alia’s election in 2023, insisting that the governor’s administration had failed to meet the expectations of the people.
“We’re yet to get it right in Benue State, as far as some of us are concerned. You will recall that democracy is anchored on the rule of law. And that is what guides what democracy is.
“What you are witnessing in the last three years and some months is that here is a government that does not believe in the rule of law, but believes in witch-hunting, believes in running opponents down.”
Ortom cited the seizure of 23 government vehicles allocated to him after leaving office as one example of what he described as the administration’s disregard for due process.
He said he challenged the seizure in court and won, with the court ordering the return of the vehicles and awarding him N5 million in damages.
“No complication to me was that I went to court and we defeated government. And they were asked to pay me N5 million in addition to returning the 23 vehicles they took away from me, which were legitimately given to me by government,” he said.
According to Ortom, the vehicles were allocated to him and other members of his administration through the State Executive Council after they had been used for more than four years.
“It is a tradition that when you are appointed in office or elected, and when you are leaving, you leave with those vehicles.
“And this was legitimately done in the State Executive Council. It’s not just me. My deputy, my commissioners, my advisers, my principal and special assistants, all of them, the State Executive Council, which is the highest decision-making body, allocated those cars to us to pay a token because they were used for over four years.
“By government rules, when vehicles are used for four years, they become more of a scrap and they are given out. So we did that. And it was on this basis that, as a law-abiding citizen, I went to court. And I won.”
However, Ortom said the vehicles had still not been returned despite the court judgment.
“As I talk to you, that is what I’m saying. Our governor does not believe in the rule of law and due process. Up to today, it’s about a year now, those vehicles have not been given to me.
“He has not even appealed. And those vehicles have not been given to me. So, no respect for rule of law. He doesn’t respect judgment.”
The former governor also accused the Alia administration of failing to provide adequate information to the people and claimed that local government councils in the state were not operating with the autonomy they were promised.
“The local government autonomy that we were told had been granted, there is nothing like that in Benue State,” he said.
“You can send your people to find out and interview some of the chairmen who will not want their identities to be disclosed. But they will tell you.
“Since this government came in, nobody has given any account of what is happening. So it is a disappointment to the entire people that voted for the so-called Reverend Father.”
Ortom further criticised Alia’s record, arguing that the governor had failed to bring the expected transformation to the state despite increased federal resources following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“I tell you the truth in terms of performance. Come here and see things for yourself.
“With the huge resources courtesy of the removal of fuel subsidy, come and see what is happening. Even the little things we can see around in Benue State here in Makurdi, the capital city, the 22 local governments are left without any impact.
“The local government that should be autonomous and should be funding their projects, they are not doing any project except the governor does it. You don’t operate like this.”
Ortom also alleged that the governor had refused to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to address the state’s security crisis, despite President Tinubu’s directive following the Yelwata massacre.
“President Tinubu came here in Benue State when there was Yelwata massacre and advised him that, look, bring all the former governors. Bring the military governor that we still have in Benue State, Chief Atom Kpera. Bring traditional rulers. Put hands together. Come and see me in Abuja. And let’s find a lasting solution to this problem.
“As I talk to you today, our governor has refused to summon that meeting.
“What is it going to benefit me if I have to leave Abuja or leave my house in Makurdi to attend a meeting that our people are being killed, to strategise and see how we can make things work for our state? And he abandoned it.
“He doesn’t listen to anybody. He says he is an independent person. So it is what he wants that he does. Meanwhile, democracy is about the people.”
Ortom said he had attempted to maintain communication with Alia since leaving office but claimed the governor had refused to take his calls.
“Since I left Government House in 2023, I have never had the opportunity to meet with my governor and offer whatever it is, my advice.
“Since that meeting till today, my governor has not picked my call. I have called him several times.”
On the 2027 political contest, Ortom said he remained aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom he described as his friend and political associate.
“Well, I want to tell you that Wike is my friend. We listen together. We talk together. We work together. We discuss. We argue and agree on certain principles.
“Sometimes we say that people can go their diverse ways. And I have demonstrated this.”
Ortom recalled that he supported Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in 2023 but said he had since decided to support Tinubu for the next presidential election.
“You will recall, in 2023, when Wike was appointed minister, I was there at the reception. And I made a statement. And I have no regret making that statement. That in 2027, some of us will support Tinubu to win.
“In 2023, I supported Obi. But when Nigerians spoke, and President Tinubu was president, I said, look, what is happening? If you can’t beat them, you join them.
“And well, we did. And I want to assure you that I remain committed with our national leader, Minister Wike, and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, that I, Samuel Ortom, and my people here in Benue State, as far as we are concerned, we are working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Ortom also clarified that his support for Tinubu did not mean he disputed the Supreme Court’s decision upholding Alia’s election victory in Benue.
“We went to court. We challenged his election. One of the issues was that, look, there is no way a candidate can be ready for an election when your name was not submitted within 180 days.
“This was before the amended Electoral Act. And his name was submitted 43 days. And we said no.
“But you see, once the decision was taken by the Supreme Court, then he was given the mandate.”
Asked whether he believed the Supreme Court had erred, Ortom said: “They did not err. That is not what I’m saying.
“Whatever they say. Even the case of Imo comes to focus. You know? But once a decision is taken by the Supreme Court, that is final.”
At the state level, Ortom said he was backing his preferred governorship candidate, as well as candidates for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly.
“I’m backing all my candidates, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly.
“And I’m also backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for president.”
Boluwatife Enome
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