Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has made a striking political claim, alleging that his immediate predecessor, Samuel Ortom, is quietly plotting to ensure the victory of Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.
Speaking from the government house in Makurdi through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the Governor maintained that despite public statements suggesting Ortom is backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, the former governor’s true allegiance lies elsewhere. To support this assertion, the administration pointed to a dramatic incident from last week, claiming that Ortom personally rushed to the rescue of the former Anambra State governor in his personal SUV after Obi was reportedly targeted by suspected thugs during a visit to the state. Kula insisted that photographic proof of this event exists, using it to underscore what he calls a stealthy political alliance.
Beyond the 2027 presidential landscape, Governor Alia also dismissed the developing political partnership between Ortom and former Minister of Justice Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, describing their joint efforts to unseat him as an exercise in futility. He did not hold back in his assessment of the past administration, branding Ortom’s tenure as eight years of stagnation marked by a complete lack of meaningful infrastructure, paralyzed local government development, and a persistent backlog of unpaid salaries and withheld entitlements for pensioners.
The governor argued that Ortom is merely leaning on Aondoakaa in a desperate attempt to claw back his fading political influence. Consequently, he has urged the citizens of Benue State to completely turn their backs on the Peoples Democratic Party when the next general elections arrive, framing the choice as vital for the state’s future.
What are your thoughts on Governor Alia’s claims regarding the 2027 political realignments in Benue?
