The Benue State Government has turned down former Governor Samuel Ortom’s challenge for a public debate with Governor Hyacinth Alia, describing it as a diversionary tactic to shift focus from ongoing investigations into his administration.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the government said Governor Alia remains committed to governance and service delivery rather than engaging in what it called “media trials” and political distractions.
The statement noted that a review of Ortom’s handover notes by the current administration revealed significant financial discrepancies and administrative lapses, which led to the setting up of investigations by relevant authorities.
The government described as ironic the fact that Ortom, who had previously established a Commission of Inquiry to probe his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam, is now opposing scrutiny of his own tenure.
It rejected claims of unfairness in the probe process, insisting that Ortom, his former appointees, and media aides
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