The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has accused his successor, Hyacinth Alia, of politicizing the insecurity plaguing the state.
Ortom’s criticism followed a viral video of Alia speaking at a church program at NKST Church Ikpayongo, where he claimed that since assuming office, armed herders had ceased attacking and killing residents in the state.
This assertion, however, contrasts with recent killings in the state capital, Makurdi.
In a statement released by his spokesman, the former governor demanded that Alia apologize to the people of Benue for his insensitivity, particularly in light of the trauma endured by residents who have lost loved ones to violent attacks.
“We watched with utmost shock and sadness a video clip in which Governor Hyacinth Alia addressed a congregation at NKST Church Ikpayongo in Gwer East Local Government Area, claiming that since he assumed office, armed herders have stopped attacking and killing people in the state,” the statement read.
“The Governor also made several false accusations against his predecessor, Samuel Ortom, alleging that Ortom staged the 2021 assassination attempt on his life. Alia further stated that his tenure has brought peace across the state, unlike the previous administration when mass killings by herdsmen were a daily occurrence.
“While we may not dignify the Governor’s theatrics and obfuscations, it is deeply troubling that he made such remarks before a church congregation in Gwer East, one of the local government areas that have experienced some of the worst herdsmen attacks under his watch. The people of Gwer must have felt profound dismay hearing such words from their Governor.”
Ortom’s statement highlighted numerous mass burials conducted during Alia’s administration, citing violent attacks across the state in Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Makurdi, Agatu, and Otukpo, among other areas.
The statement accused Alia’s government of attempting to suppress the truth about the killings.
Comparing his administration to Alia’s, Ortom said, “The difference between my administration and Governor Alia’s is that I stood against injustice and vigorously opposed the pastoralist agenda aimed at occupying Benue lands, while Alia seems to downplay the ongoing attacks on Benue communities.
“Despite threats to my life and pressure from the then Federal Government, I remained resolute in advocating against open grazing and promoting ranching. This led to the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in Benue State, a law that has received widespread acclaim across the country.”
Ortom also criticized Alia for blaming Benue residents for the insecurity: “I never lied to my people or the nation that all was well when it wasn’t. I refused to suppress media reports about the heinous crimes committed by armed herders against Benue people. Instead, I confronted these challenges head-on and defended my people with dignity, equity, and justice.
“Ortom was elected to stand for the living, not the dead. I chose to defend the people of Benue rather than appease their oppressors.”
