A heated political exchange has erupted between Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and his predecessor, Chief Samuel Ortom, following the State House of Assembly’s recent approval of a ₦100 billion loan.
The loan, sanctioned during an emergency plenary session last Friday, is earmarked for a wide range of infrastructural projects across the state. Governor Alia stated that the funds would support the renovation of all 23 general hospitals, construction of smart and science schools, roads, bridges, and the new Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Ihugh.
However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voiced strong criticism of the move. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom (correction: Tim Nyor), the PDP questioned the necessity of the loan, citing the Alia administration’s access to increased federal allocations over the past two years.
In response, Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, launched a scathing rebuttal, accusing Ortom’s administration of plunging Benue into debt and neglect. He stated that Ortom left a ₦187.7 billion debt, which has since ballooned to ₦359 billion after further liabilities were discovered at the local government level.
“For the avoidance of doubt,” Tersoo said, “the PDP-led administration, especially that of Samuel Ortom, left a debt profile that has crippled Benue’s development prospects. Salaries and pensions were left unpaid despite receiving bailout and refund funds from the Federal Government.”
Alia’s media aide argued that the current loan is aimed at genuine development, unlike the previous administration’s “pattern of debt without delivery.”
But Ortom, in a swift counterstatement through his media aide Terver Akase, accused Governor Alia of deflecting legitimate concerns. He said Alia’s government had received more than five times the federal revenue his administration got, yet had failed to deliver results.
He further challenged the governor to provide clarity on several large expenditures, including a ₦68.3 billion contract for a 13-kilometre road in Makurdi and a ₦73 billion project reportedly leading to the governor’s village.
“Why the secrecy surrounding the state’s finances?” Ortom queried. “Rather than give answers, Governor Alia hurls insults and false claims. This is not governance—it’s evasion.”
The former governor also demanded full disclosure on the alleged receipt and use of remaining bailout funds, Central Bank facilities, and refunds from SURE-P and fuel subsidy withdrawals.
The exchange marks the latest in an ongoing power struggle between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue and the opposition PDP, with transparency, accountability, and debt management at the heart of the conflict.
As Benue residents grapple with underdevelopment and increasing socio-economic challenges, citizens are calling for less blame-shifting and more focus on governance that delivers tangible results.
