Alia Responds to Ortom Over Seized Cars Controversy

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has publicly responded to former Governor Samuel Ortom's allegations concerning the seizure of cars that Ortom claimed were given to him by the state Executive Council at the end of his tenure in 2023. During an interview on Arise Television, Ortom mentioned that he had taken the current state government to court and successfully reclaimed the seized vehicles.

In a subsequent appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Alia's Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, accused Ortom of mismanaging the state during his eight-year tenure. Kula stated that the cars were discovered hidden in a mechanic workshop, following intelligence from security agencies.

He noted that the owner of the workshop had taken the Benue State Government to court regarding the cars, which he claimed were legitimately given to him by the Executive Council. Kula criticized Ortom's governance, asserting that it had left the state in a poor condition.