The immediate past Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has challenged Governor Hyacinth Alia to a public debate to address allegations of financial misappropriation against his administration.
Ortom threw the challenge on Tuesday when he hosted members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists at his residence in Makurdi. The interaction with journalists focused on the recent accusations and the current state of governance in the state, A statement by Zege Paul Terhide, his Media Assistant said.
The former governor said his administration was anchored on transparency and accountability throughout its eight-year tenure, noting that all government accounts were audited annually and the reports published in national newspapers. He further pointed out that the overall audit report covering his administration was gazetted following its approval by the Benue State House of Assembly, as stipulated by law.
Chief Ortom maintained that all financial records from his time in office are intact and available for verification by relevant authorities.
He stated that if Governor Alia is confident in the report he has been circulating, he should be ready to present facts and figures in a public forum. “Let us meet for a debate where both sides can lay out their records for the people to judge,” Ortom said.
Addressing the specific allegation of ₦139.8 billion misappropriation, Chief Ortom accused the Alia administration of relying on imaginary records and attempting to witch-hunt him without proof. He argued that such claims lack substance and are aimed at damaging his reputation.
The former governor further urged his successor, Alia to take the matter to court if he believes there is a case, rather than seeking cheap popularity through media trials. He said the proper place to test such allegations is in a court of law, not in the public space without evidence.
Chief Ortom also raised concerns over the volume of resources available to the current administration. According to him, the Alia government has received about ₦1.3 trillion, an amount he said is five times greater than what accrued to the state during his eight-year tenure.
The former governor questioned why, despite the increased inflows, issues of unpaid salaries, pensions, and gratuities remain unresolved. He noted that the people are yet to see commensurate development and accountability for the funds received.
Ortom called on Alia to refocus on the campaign promises he made to the people of Benue State. He asked about the promises to clear salary arrears, pay pensions and gratuities, and return Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.
