By Bayero Ade
The Network For Transparent Governance (NTG) has expressed concern over what it describes as unwarranted attacks by Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia on former Governor Samuel Ortom.
According to Afripost, the NTG claims these attacks are a deliberate strategy by Governor Alia to divert public attention from pressing issues concerning his administration’s financial management and ongoing corruption allegations.
The advocacy group, which champions good governance and accountability, criticized Alia for targeting Ortom simply for attending public events and engaging with high-profile figures such as Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation. According to the NTG, this behavior contradicts the democratic values of dialogue and collaboration among political parties.
The NTG also highlighted what it perceived as a glaring double standard in Governor Alia’s conduct. While the governor has been seen frequently associating with former Governor Gabriel Suswam without facing criticism, Ortom has been persistently vilified for similar actions. The group argues that this inconsistency raises serious questions about the integrity of Alia’s leadership.
In a statement signed by NTG President Dennis Agema and Secretary General Oliver Omenka, the group called for greater transparency in Benue State’s governance and questioned the current administration’s handling of state resources.
The statement reads in part:
“We, the Network For Transparent Governance (NTG), a coalition committed to promoting good governance and accountability, are deeply concerned by the baseless attacks on former Governor Samuel Ortom by Governor Hyacinth Alia. These attacks appear to be a calculated attempt to distract from the serious questions surrounding the management of Benue State’s finances and the corruption allegations against Alia’s administration.
“Ortom, a distinguished public servant, has been unjustly targeted for engaging with prominent figures like Senator Akume and other APC members. This represents a misinterpretation of democratic principles, which encourage cross-party dialogue. Governor Alia’s obsession with attacking Ortom for his associations shows a narrow, politically driven agenda, disregarding the welfare of Benue’s people.”
The group also criticized Governor Alia’s lack of transparency regarding state finances, particularly as Benue now receives significantly higher FAAC allocations than during Ortom’s tenure. The NTG points out that despite these increased resources, there is no clarity on how the funds are being utilized.
“Since taking office on May 29, 2023, Governor Alia has failed to brief the public on the state’s financial status. He has been awarding contracts unilaterally without consulting the State Executive Council or the State House of Assembly. Additionally, he is personally approving withdrawals from state accounts, and has locked access to state bank accounts since assuming office. His approval limit for expenditures has increased from N50 million to N250 million, but there has been no public bidding process for contracts, and no questions raised about his authority,” the NTG statement continued.
The NTG also criticized the governor’s handling of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state, noting that over two million people remain homeless due to herdsmen attacks, with many still living in IDP camps. The NTG emphasized that one of Alia’s key campaign promises was to return the IDPs to their homes within 100 days of his administration, but this promise remains unfulfilled.
“Governor Alia also pledged to clear arrears of salaries and pensions but has failed to fulfill this commitment, despite receiving substantial allocations, particularly after the removal of the fuel subsidy. The people of Benue State deserve to know how their tax money and federal allocations are being used,” the NTG concluded, urging Governor Alia to provide a detailed report on the state’s finances to ensure the needs of the people are being met.
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