A political showdown has erupted in Benue State as Governor Hyacinth Alia and former Governor Samuel Ortom clash over transparency in the handling of state finance, particularly local government allocations and the governor’s N3 billion monthly security vote.
The Punch reports that the controversy began when Ortom, through his media aide Terver Akase, accused the Alia administration of starving Benue’s 23 local government councils of funds despite a reported 500% increase in federal allocations.
He demanded that Alia publish full details of monthly disbursements received since assuming office, including what’s allocated to local governments and as security votes.
“The fact that none of the 23 local governments under him has constructed even a single culvert shows how they have been starved of their funds,” Ortom said.
He challenged the governor to explain why, in the face of record federal inflows, local councils like Gboko—allegedly receiving N624 million monthly—get only N10 million as security vote.
Ortom also questioned why Alia was still disbursing funds to LGAs despite a Supreme Court ruling granting them full autonomy.
“The question to ask Governor Alia is: given reports that the Federal Government is now sending 500 per cent increased allocations to the local governments in Benue State… where is the rest of the money going?” he asked.
He further demanded clarity on the reported N3 billion monthly security vote, especially in light of continuing attacks and killings by Fulani herdsmen in the state.
Responding, Alia’s camp dismissed Ortom’s accusations as a deflection from his own failed financial record.
Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Michael Oglegba, said Ortom should stop “chasing shadows,” noting that all federal allocations are publicly available through the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
Oglegba jabbed at Ortom’s time in office:
“So, instead of responding to questions, Ortom should stop answering by asking questions. What did he do with the money that came in under his administration when a dollar was just N400, which is now over N1,500 per dollar, an increase of over 300 per cent today?”
Alia’s allies also accused Ortom of running a regime with minimal impact, defending the current administration’s transparency and dismissing claims that LGAs are underfunded.
Ortom, however, fired back, insisting that his administration granted LG autonomy and that councils executed projects and tackled insecurity directly during his tenure.
The face-off comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s subnational finances following the removal of petrol subsidies and increased federal allocations to states.
Benue’s political gladiators now appear locked in a fierce battle over who truly served the people, and who’s hiding behind the numbers.
