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Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027, while accusing his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of failing to deliver on the expectations of residents.
Ortom made his position known during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, where he also criticised the Alia administration over the rule of law, governance, insecurity and the handling of local government affairs in the state.
The former governor alleged that the current administration had deviated from democratic principles, accusing it of using government machinery to target political opponents rather than upholding due process.
“We’re yet to get it right in Benue State, as far as some of us are concerned. You will recall that democracy is anchored on the rule of law,” Ortom said.
He claimed that the administration had engaged in what he described as “witch-hunting” and efforts to undermine its political opponents.
Ortom cited the seizure of 23 government vehicles allocated to him after leaving office as an example of what he considered a breach of due process.
According to him, he challenged the action in court and secured a judgment directing the government to return the vehicles and pay him N5 million in damages.
“No complication to me was that I went to court and we defeated government. And they were asked to pay me N5 million in addition to returning the 23 vehicles they took away from me,” he said.
Ortom explained that the vehicles were allocated to him and other former officials through the State Executive Council after they had been used for more than four years.
He, however, claimed that the vehicles had yet to be returned despite the judgment and said the state government had not appealed the decision.
“As I talk to you, that is what I’m saying. Our governor does not believe in the rule of law and due process,” Ortom said.
The former governor also criticised the administration over local government autonomy, alleging that elected council officials were not operating independently or undertaking projects without the governor’s involvement.
He further questioned the administration’s performance despite increased federal allocations following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
“I tell you the truth in terms of performance. Come here and see things for yourself,” Ortom said, arguing that the 22 local government areas had not made sufficient impact under the current administration.
On Benue’s security crisis, Ortom accused Alia of failing to convene a broad stakeholders’ meeting despite President Tinubu’s intervention following the Yelwata massacre.
He said Tinubu had advised the governor to bring together former governors, traditional rulers, military representatives and other stakeholders to develop a lasting solution to the killings.
“As I talk to you today, our governor has refused to summon that meeting,” Ortom alleged.
The former governor also said he had made several attempts to maintain communication with Alia since leaving office but claimed the governor had not returned his calls.
On the 2027 presidential election, Ortom confirmed that he had changed his political position from 2023, when he supported Labour Party candidate Peter Obi.
He said he is now firmly backing Tinubu and remains politically aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
“You will recall, in 2023, when Wike was appointed minister, I was there at the reception. And I made a statement. And I have no regret making that statement. That in 2027, some of us will support Tinubu to win,” Ortom said.
“In 2023, I supported Obi. But when Nigerians spoke, and President Tinubu was president, I said, look, what is happening? If you can’t beat them, you join them.”
Ortom said he and his political associates in Benue were working for Tinubu’s re-election.
“I want to assure you that I remain committed with our national leader, Minister Wike, and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, that I, Samuel Ortom, and my people here in Benue State, as far as we are concerned, we are working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
The former governor also clarified that his support for Tinubu did not amount to a rejection of the Supreme Court’s decision affirming Alia’s election victory in 2023.
Ortom said he had challenged Alia’s eligibility during the legal battle over the election but accepted the Supreme Court’s ruling as final.
“They did not err. That is not what I’m saying. Whatever they say. Even the case of Imo comes to focus. You know? But once a decision is taken by the Supreme Court, that is final,” he said.
At the state level, Ortom said he would support his preferred candidates for the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly elections in 2027, alongside Tinubu’s presidential bid.
