BY JOY IBEH
Benue State has erupted into a fierce political crossfire as Governor Hyacinth Alia and his predecessor, Samuel Ortom, traded accusations over the state’s freshly approved ₦100 billion loan, turning what should have been a financial policy into a bitter political duel.
The Benue State House of Assembly, in an emergency session last Friday, gave the green light for Governor Alia to secure a ₦100 billion facility aimed at driving major infrastructural projects across the state. The governor said the funds would target hospital renovations, science school upgrades, road and bridge construction, rural electrification, and the establishment of a new State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Ihugh.
But the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) — led by former governor Ortom — accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of piling debt on a state already gasping under financial burdens.
In a fiery response through his media aide Kula Tersoo, Governor Alia hit back, accusing Ortom of leaving behind “a legacy of poverty, unpaid salaries, and deceit.”
“The PDP administration, particularly under Samuel Ortom, left a staggering ₦187.7 billion in direct debt,” Alia alleged.
“Further investigation revealed an additional ₦170 billion owed through local governments. Despite receiving bailout funds, Paris Club refunds, and other interventions, Ortom still left 12 months of salary arrears, 10 months for local government workers, and 36 months of unpaid pensions.”
Alia described the Ortom era as “a monumental failure that mortgaged Benue’s future.”
However, Ortom was quick to fire back. In a counter-statement signed by his aide Terver Akase, the former governor accused Alia of playing politics with the truth and avoiding transparency.
He said the governor had received a 500% increase in federal allocations since taking office but had little to show for it.
“Instead of addressing questions about transparency and project funding, Alia prefers to attack Ortom,” the statement said.
“Benue people deserve to know how their funds are being spent, including the ₦68.3 billion contract for just 13 kilometres of road in Makurdi and ₦73 billion approved for a road leading to the governor’s own village.”
Ortom also questioned why Alia had remained silent on the SURE-P refunds, ₦41 billion bailout balance, and ₦20 billion CBN facility reportedly received by the state.
“This administration hides behind propaganda to mask its failure. Alia must explain where the money is going and why transparency has disappeared from Benue’s governance,” Ortom declared.
As the loan faceoff intensifies, political observers say the clash reflects the deepening rift between the APC-led government and the PDP opposition, with both camps turning Benue’s debt crisis into a battlefield of blame, bitterness, and borrowed billions.
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