There is belief that the emergence of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia as Governor of Benue State is God’s way of answering Dr. Samuel Ortom’s prayer for dedicating Nigeria’s Food Basket State to Him about 10 years ago. At least this is the firm position of Mr. Nelson Uôr, a 35-year-old public school teacher. According to Mr Uôr, “The dedication of Benue to God which Dr. Ortom did at IBB Square, when he gathered the people of the state, lied down and told God that he was dedicating the state to Him, [I believe that] God answered that prayer and gave Benue someone that knows the problem of the state in the person of Fr. (Hyacinth) Ali.” Mr. Uôr explained that God answers prayers in ways many would not understand and the case of the emergence of Governor Alia is one.
Shortly after assuming office as Governor of Benue State in 2015, Dr. Ortom dedicated the State to God. He left the Makurdi Government House in 2023 as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governor, having initially come to power in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This made him the first person from Benue State to be elected Governor on two different party platforms. In 2018, after what pundits described as “irreconcilable differences” with the leadership of the APC, Dr. Ortom returned to the PDP, the party that had allegedly denied him a ticket before the 2015 general election. During his tenure, he reportedly left behind several months of unpaid salaries, pensions, and gratuities, along with a growing debt profile for the state. He expressed satisfaction in having “retired Akume.” Currently, there is a probe panel investigating his time in the Makurdi Government House.
A few years after leaving office, Dr. Ortom—a former local government chairman, and minister—has become an intriguing figure in the ever-changing political landscape. This transformation has left observers and political analysts wondering about his next moves. In 2023, Dr. Ortom lost his senatorial bid to his former appointee, the current Senator representing Benue North West (Zone B) in the National Assembly, Dr. Titus Zam. Additionally, Ortom was unable to install a successor, and his party, the PDP, suffered a significant defeat to the APC. Many analysts believe that these political setbacks were discouraging enough to push Dr. Ortom into the background of State politics. However, the former Governor seems determined not to fade away. Recent developments in the state have indicated that Dr. Ortom is making some political moves, albeit somewhat secretive, suggesting that he may be planning a comeback that could shake up the political scene in the state.
Although some pundits say Dr. Ortom did his best, given the circumstances of his era, others criticized his time in office and think the former Governor is up to something much more than meets the eyes. Those who argue that the immediate past Benue State Governor has something up his sleeves have pointed to his “sudden romance with Benue APC stalwarts loyal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who he (Dr. Ortom) claimed he had retired politically in 2019.
In December 2024, Dr. Ortom hosted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Senator Jack Gyado at his residence in Makurdi. This gathering was part of a joint New Year’s Day thanksgiving for the SGF and Dr. Mathias Byuan in Agidi, Ishangev-Tiev, Konshisha LGA.
According to Mr. Emmanuel Nyata, a public affairs analyst based in Makurdi, this sudden relationship appears to be a strategic move. “The former Governor is seeking a soft landing. Remember, there is an ongoing commission investigating his years in office, and he has identified an opportunity to take a side in the conflict between the SGF and Fr. Alia.” Mr. Nyata believes that with Senator Akume serving as the “engine room of the federal government” and Dr. Ortom returning as the “prodigal son,” Dr. Ortom will undoubtedly benefit from federal protection. However, Nyata pointed out that Dr. Ortom seems to have forgotten his previous claims of having retired Sen Akume and the criticisms he directed at the SGF while he was still in power in the state. He added that if these two can now sit down together and enjoy each other’s company, then anything is possible in politics.
In an interview with TNT, Mr. Sam Agwa, the Convener of the Benue Open Governance Society (BOGS), sais Dr. Ortom’s actions reflect the manifestation of party politics. He added that this manifestation is occurring earlier than expected.
“It’s a marriage of convenience,” Mr. Agwa stated, highlighting Dr. Ortom’s alignment with the SGF and the partnership of Dr. Gabriel Suswam, another former Governor, with Fr. Alia.
It has come to light that the Assets Recovery Panel, established by the government of Fr. Alia, recovered dozens of vehicles, including tractors and other government property, from close associates of the former Governor, Dr. Ortom, after he left office. In a surprising turn of events, Dr. Ortom went to court, praying the court to stop his probe.
Last week, Dr. Ortom accused his successor of persecuting him. He had previously urged “his successor to take a chill pill and refrain from unnecessarily escalating the political atmosphere.” In a statement, Mr. Terver Akase, speaking for Dr. Ortom emphasised that the former governor, like any other citizen of Benue, is free to associate with others, as guaranteed by the country’s Constitution. However, Mr. Akase declined to answer any further questions about the former Governor, stating, “We have responded to your editorialized piece. I believe that addresses the issue.”
Dr. Ortom, according to Mr. Tersoo Kulas, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, “remains a reference point for poor judgment, mischief, and dismal performance in office.” Mr. Kula described Dr. Ortom’s eight-year tenure as Governor of Benue State (2015-2023) as the state’s lowest point, emphasising that he and what he represents were “swept away in 2023.” Mr. Kula expressed surprise that Ortom, once proud of retiring Senator Akume from politics, is now sought after by politicians aiming to disrupt the progress in Benue, particularly in regular payment of pensions and salaries, infrastructural development and the state’s transformation into an agricultural hub.
Mr. Terkula Igidi, a former News Editor with the Daily Trust and currently a freelance journalist with Mongabay, a US-based environmental and conservation news platform, stated that it is evident Dr. Ortom is looking to reestablish himself politically following a brief hiatus after the 2023 elections.
Mr. Igidi noted, “Let’s not forget that he is a career politician, and he wouldn’t want his legacy to be overshadowed by a single electoral misfortune, such as his loss to the APC in 2023. Like many politicians, Ortom sees opportunities in setbacks. For him, this is an opportune time to leverage the ongoing political turmoil in the state—specifically, Governor Alia’s ongoing conflict with SGF Senator George Akume—to realign his political interests and strategically position himself for relevance, influence, and potential gain. The lead-up to the 2027 general elections promises to be intriguing, and as uncertainty looms over the Benue political landscape, many will be watching closely to see how the former Governor’s political career unfolds.”
In the face of the growing political crises in the state, analysts say it is only a matter of time before what former Governor Ortom is up to becomes public knowledge.
