Former Benue State’s Governor Samuel Ortom has clapped back on Hyacinth Alia, his successor, who accused him of eight years in power that left a trail of massive killings in the state and the people in anguish.
Reacting to Alia’s accusation, Ortom fired back: “The only difference between me and my successor is that while I cried out over the mass killings in Benue State during my tenure, he has decided to cover up and keep quiet at every attack.”
Ortom conveyed his response through a statement by, Terver Akase, his spokesman.
Alia fired the first salvo when on Sunday, he told a congregation of NKST Church, Ikpayongo, in Gwer East Local Government Area that he had been able to clean up the security mess Ortom left in the state such that since assuming office, armed herders had stopped attacking and killing the people.
Although the Governor, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), failed to state the formula he used in creating the peace in the state, he accused Ortom, who ended his tenure as a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), of faking an assassination story in 2021, where the former Governor, claimed to have escaped on foot by running for hours through the bush.
Ortom said: “There have been countless mass burials during Alia’s administration in many parts of the state due to attacks by herdsmen in Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C, particularly in Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Makurdi, Agatu, Otukpo, among others.
“This government only attempts to conceal the truth about the killings and mass burials. What distinguishes him from his successor was his firm stance against injustice and his fight against the agenda of pastoralists seeking to occupy Benue lands.
“Despite threats to his life, intimidation, and outright deprivation by the then Federal Government, he remained resolute. His unwavering stance eventually paid off, as many Nigerians began to appreciate his advocacy against open grazing and the introduction of ranching. His administration went on to enact a law banning open grazing in Benue State, to the chagrin of expansionists.”
Ortom insisted that he had no regrets about his actions while in office, advising his successor to focus on fulfilling his promises to the people of Benue.
He added: “Being a state Governor is a transitory position. Tomorrow, he will also become a former governor. Ortom played his part and left the stage nearly two years ago. Governor Alia is now in charge, so he should take advantage of what he believes his predecessor failed to do and provide better service for the people.”
