Benue Governor Alia Tells Ex-Governors to ‘Shut Up’ Amid Fresh Clash With Ortom

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has taken a swipe at former governors of the state, warning them to “shut up” and stay away from his administration if they have no positive contributions to make to the development of Benue.

The governor’s remarks have resurfaced amid a renewed war of words between his administration and his immediate predecessor, Samuel Ortom, who has launched fresh attacks on Alia’s handling of the state.

Alia, a Catholic priest-turned-politician who became governor in 2023, had warned past leaders against interfering in his government, insisting that his administration should be allowed to focus on governance and development.

The latest political tension follows Ortom’s recent appearance on ARISE Television, where the former governor accused Alia of poor performance and alleged that the current administration had failed to transform Benue despite increased federal allocations following the removal of petrol subsidy.

Ortom Accuses Alia of ‘Lies and Hypocrisy’

Ortom, who governed Benue from 2015 to 2023, accused his successor of running the state with what he described as “lies, deceit and hypocrisy.”

The former governor argued that the Alia administration had received significantly improved revenues but questioned the level of development and impact of government policies across the state.

He also accused the administration of disregarding the rule of law and engaging in what he described as political witch-hunting against perceived opponents.

“Because of the abysmal performance of the current governor, whose antecedent is based on deceit, lies and does not want the rule of law to prevail in Benue State,” Ortom said while discussing his political position ahead of the 2027 elections.

23 Vehicles Become Fresh Point of Contention

One of the major issues raised by Ortom concerns 23 vehicles which he said were legitimately allocated to him after leaving office.

According to the former governor, the vehicles were later seized by the Alia administration, prompting him to take the matter to court.

Ortom said the court ruled in his favour, ordering the return of the vehicles and awarding ₦5 million in damages. However, the details of the court ruling and its implementation remain part of the broader dispute between the former governor and the state government.

The controversy has further deepened the already strained relationship between the two political figures.

Alia Administration Focused on Governance

While Ortom and other critics have continued to question the governor’s performance, the Alia administration and its supporters have maintained that the government is focused on infrastructure, reforms and other development programmes.

Recent reports have highlighted projects and interventions by the administration in areas including healthcare and infrastructure, with Alia also receiving a nomination for The Sun’s 2026 Governor of the Year award.

The political battle is also unfolding as Ortom positions himself for the 2027 political season. The former governor recently declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while backing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue’s governorship and other state elections.

Political Tension Ahead of 2027

The renewed exchange between Alia and Ortom highlights the deep political divisions that have persisted in Benue since the transition of power in 2023.

While Alia has urged former leaders to allow his administration to govern without unnecessary interference, Ortom has insisted that, as a former governor and stakeholder, he has a responsibility to speak on developments in the state.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the disagreement over governance, state finances, projects, political influence and the legacy of the Ortom administration is likely to remain a major feature of Benue’s political conversation.

The clash also comes at a sensitive period for the state, which continues to face significant security and humanitarian challenges, including a recent attack in Logo Local Government Area in which police said four officers and seven civilians were killed.

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