Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Benue State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP has faulted claims by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia that his predecessor, Chief Samuel Ortom, PhD, mismanaged some funds while in office as governor.
The party’s position was contained in a press statement which was obtained from its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bright Yima Antyo by Nigerian Concord Newspaper this morning.
The statement reads below:
Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has read with amusement the latest press statement issued by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s chief Press secretary Mr. Tersoo Kulas in response to the challenge thrown by former Governor Samuel Ortom.
Ordinarily, we would have ignored another lengthy compilation of excuses, distortions and political propaganda. However, the desperation evident in the statement compels us to set the record straight.
The government’s response has only confirmed one fact: Governor Alia is unwilling to answer questions about the unprecedented revenues that have accrued to Benue State under his watch.
The Alia administration claims Governor Ortom is running away from accountability. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
Chief Samuel Ortom has openly challenged Governor Alia to a public presentation of facts, figures and records. Rather than accept the challenge, the Governor has chosen to hide behind press statements drafted by political jobbers.
If Governor Alia is truly proud of his record, what exactly is he afraid of?
The truth is that the administration fears scrutiny because it cannot convincingly explain how enormous public funds received over the last three years have translated into the suffering currently experienced by Benue people.
For over three years, Governor Alia has sponsored one probe after another against Chief Ortom.
Despite the media trials, press conferences, political intimidation and countless allegations, not a single court of competent jurisdiction has convicted Chief Ortom of corruption or financial misconduct.
The government has spent more time chasing ghosts than governing the state.
If evidence truly existed, Benue people would have seen convictions, not endless propaganda.
Describing the Ortom administration as the “years of the locusts” is not only dishonest but an insult to the intelligence of Benue people.
Those were the years Benue stood courageously against armed invaders and defended ancestral lands when many of today’s loudest critics were nowhere to be found.
Those were the years critical infrastructure was constructed across the state despite economic recession, dwindling revenues and national financial crises.
History cannot be rewritten simply because Governor Alia’s propagandists wish it so.
What they never tell the public is how much money this administration has received since 2023 and why workers and pensioners are still complaining despite record allocations.
Blaming a predecessor after three years in office is not governance; it is an admission of failure.
The government’s attempt to hide behind inflation and exchange rates is both weak and insulting.
The issue is not inflation.
The issue is accountability and whether Benue people can clearly see projects that justify the massive resources received by this administration.
No amount of economic jargon can conceal that simple fact.
The government speaks endlessly about projects but avoids discussing transparency, costs, procurement processes and value for money.
Benue people want to see evidence that matches the huge revenues received by this administration.
Governor Alia’s refusal to engage Chief Ortom is understandable.
Debates require facts, figures and answers that are precise; what this administration appears unwilling to provide.
The defensive tone of the government’s response reveals an administration under pressure but they cannot escape the central question confronting this administration: with the enormous resources received by Benue State over the last three years, why are the people not seeing commensurate results?
Until that question is answered, no amount of propaganda will rescue this government from public scrutiny.
Benue PDP remains committed to holding Governor Alia’s government accountable and ensuring that the interests of the people of Benue State remain paramount.
Signed
Bright Yima Antyo
State Publicity Secretary
PDP, Benue State
Wednesday, June 24, 2026.