Benue Ex-Governor Ortom Responds to Lawsuit Filed by Successor Governor Alia

In a recent development, former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has publicly criticized his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, for attempting to initiate legal action against him. Ortom argues that such a probe is unnecessary given that the state’s auditor general had previously investigated his administration, with findings published across various platforms. This statement came in the wake of a Makurdi High Court’s decision to temporarily halt Governor Alia’s commission of inquiry from investigating Ortom’s tenure. The court’s intervention followed a lawsuit filed by Ortom challenging the probe, which covers the period from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023.
Governor Alia, however, had previously warned Ortom and other predecessors against interfering with his administration, emphasizing that they had their chance to govern and should now refrain from destabilizing his government. This confrontation highlights a significant political rift within Benue State, showcasing a clash between past and present administrations over transparency, accountability, and governance standards.