Ortom and Alia Clash Over Benue Governance Issues

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and current Governor Hyacinth Alia engaged in a heated exchange over the governance of the state. This confrontation arose after a probe panel report accused Ortom's administration of mismanaging N139.8 billion during his eight-year tenure.

Ortom publicly rejected these findings, labeling them politically motivated and vowing to expose what he termed the current administration's hypocrisy and mismanagement of state resources. He challenged Governor Alia to a public debate regarding their respective achievements.

Alia's administration dismissed Ortom's claims, asserting that the probe was essential to uncover financial irregularities inherited from the previous government. Tersoo Kula, Alia's chief press secretary, emphasized that the investigation was not driven by vendetta but aimed at establishing facts.

Ortom was also criticized for leaving behind significant debt affecting the state's finances. The exchange underscores a deepening political rift between the two leaders as they continue to manage Benue State's affairs.