Benue government rejects Ortom's debate challenge, defends ongoing investigation.

The Benue State Government rejected former Governor Samuel Ortom’s invitation for a public debate with Governor Hyacinth Alia, labeling the challenge as a diversion from ongoing investigations into Ortom’s administration.

In a statement released on Tuesday by Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula, the government said that Alia is concentrating on governance and service delivery instead of participating in what it called “media trials” and political distractions.

The statement also noted that the current administration’s examination of Ortom’s handover notes revealed major financial discrepancies and administrative lapses, leading to the involvement of appropriate authorities to investigate.

The government pointed out the irony that Ortom, who set up a Commission of Inquiry to examine his predecessor Gabriel Suswam’s administration, now resists comparable scrutiny of his own term.

The government denied allegations that the probe was unfair, asserting that Ortom, his former appointees, and media aides were invited on several occasions and given chances to present their cases to the commission.

Highlighting the challenges inherited by the Alia administration, the government said it assumed control of a state facing seven months of unpaid civil servant salaries, 11 months of arrears for local government workers and teachers, more than 76 months of unpaid pensions and gratuities, and significant debt obligations.

The statement also accused the former administration of relying heavily on propaganda instead of effective governance and criticized Ortom’s recent remarks about state finances.

In response to Ortom’s comments about ₦1.3 trillion in government spending, the administration argued that economic factors—such as inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and rising construction costs—must be taken into account when comparing expenditures over time.

The government also said it is presently settling billions of naira in garnishee orders, attributing these to decisions made during the prior administration.

To defend Governor Alia’s performance, the statement highlighted projects carried out by the administration, such as the revitalization of the Benue Fruit Juice Company, the creation of a Fashion Hub, the start of production at the Food Basket Brewery, the completion of major interchanges in Gboko and Makurdi, and erosion control initiatives in the state capital.

The government reiterated that Governor Alia would not engage in a public debate with his predecessor, insisting that his administration’s achievements and ongoing projects best address the criticism.