Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has hit back at his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, accusing him of blame-shifting and weaponizing Ortom’s name to deflect from the worsening security and humanitarian crises in the state.

In a statement issued Sunday by his former Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom expressed disappointment over Alia’s repeated attempts to pin Benue’s challenges on the past administration, insisting that such diversions will not end the killings or ease the suffering of displaced citizens.

The war of words escalated following recent remarks by Governor Alia, who, through his spokesperson Tersoo Kula, claimed that over four million people were displaced during Ortom’s tenure, the highest in Benue’s history.

 “Under Ortom’s watch, Benue State recorded the highest number of IDPs in its history, with over four million people displaced from their ancestral homes,” Alia’s statement read, citing what he called the failure of “reactive rhetoric without strategic security support.”

But Ortom’s camp swiftly countered the figure, describing it as false and diversionary.

 “At no time did Chief Ortom claim there were four million IDPs. The administration worked with reputable humanitarian agencies to generate accurate, verifiable data. The 1.5 million figure was officially documented, and is the same one Governor Alia inherited and presented to partners,” Akase responded.

He further accused the Alia administration of weaponizing Ortom’s name in every state matter, whether relevant or not.

 “From the day he assumed office, Governor Alia and his aides have made it their mission to drag Ortom’s name into every issue. This obsession won’t solve the crisis in Benue,” Akase said.

He also criticized the state government’s lack of sensitivity following a recent protest by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Makurdi International Market Camp, where victims decried hunger and abandonment.

 “While IDPs were protesting hunger and neglect, the Executive Secretary of SEMA was seen attending a lavish wedding in the United Kingdom. Instead of addressing this shameful insensitivity, the government launched another attack on Ortom,” he noted.

Akase urged Governor Alia to focus on implementing security measures, including the roadmap proposed by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit to Benue.

 “Mr. President provided practical steps to tackle insecurity. Instead of action, Governor Alia keeps spinning excuses — one day it’s foreign mercenaries, the next it’s Abuja politicians, now even religious leaders,” he added.

The exchange reflects deepening tensions between Benue’s past and present administrations, as the state continues to grapple with violence, mass displacement, and humanitarian distress.