Politics
Ortom Expresses Shock With Sadness How Gov. Alia Playing Politics With Benue Insecurity
Ortom Expresses Shock With Sadness How Gov. Alia Playing Politics With Benue Insecurity
Ortom expresses shock with sadness how Gov. Alia playing politics with Benue insecurity. “This government only attempts to conceal the truth about the killings and mass burials,” he said.
The immediate past governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, has accused his successor, Gov. Hyacinth Alia of playing politics with the continuous insecurity bedevilling the state.
Mr Ortom stated this in a statement on Tuesday signed by his media aide, Terver Akase, and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
The former governor said that he watched with shock and sadness a video clip where Alia told the NKST Church Ikpayongo congregation in Gwer East LGA on Sunday that since he assumed office, armed herders have stopped attacking and killing people.
He said Mr Alia also levelled several lies against him, whom he accused of feigning an assassination attempt on his life in 2021.
Mr Ortom also said that the governor said, unlike during the previous administration when killings were on a daily basis, his tenure has witnessed absolute peace across the state, as attacks have ended and the people now go about their normal activities.
“While we may not bother with the theatrics of the governor and his inclination towards obfuscation, we find it rather sad and unfortunate that he did so this time standing before a church congregation in Gwer East.
“One of the local government areas which have suffered some of the worst herdsmen attacks under his watch with many people killed, others injured and property worth billions destroyed.
“The people of Gwer who were in that church must have felt grossly dismayed on hearing such words coming from a man who is their governor.
“There have been uncountable mass burials during Alia’s administration in many parts of the state as a result of attacks, particularly in Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Makurdi, Agatu, Otukpo, among others.
“This government only attempts to conceal the truth about the killings and mass burials,” he said.
The former governor stated that the difference between him and Alia was that while he stood against injustice and strongly fought the agenda of pastoralists who wanted to occupy Benue lands as theirs, his successor does not want the world to know the truth.
According to him, people are still under attack, and wanton killings have been taking place in communities on a higher level than during his time.
Mr Ortom urged Mr Alia to apologise to the people of Benue for his insensitivity in claiming there are no more herders’ attacks in the state, especially when many have been traumatised after burying their loved ones.
However, Tersoo Kula, the chief press secretary to Mr Alia, challenged the former governor to take a walk through his home local government of Guma, which was the epicentre of armed attacks when he hailed sway to power, and see things for himself.
Mr Kula said the people in Guma have returned home to pick up the pieces of their lives.
He said his principal did not lie about the present security of the state, adding that relative peace, as cited by Alia, had indeed returned to the state despite pockets of attacks in some local government areas.
“Alia acknowledged that there is relative peace, not absolute peace. However, compared to a time when attacks occurred daily, even targeting IDP camps, the situation has significantly improved.
“Even in Ortom’s home LGA, attacks are no longer as frequent as they were during his administration. While some attempted attacks have occurred in certain areas, they are no longer a daily reality.
Gov. Alia
“Today, Alia is caring for fewer than one million displaced persons in the state, unlike Ortom’s time when there were four million IDPs, an indication that many have returned to their farms.
“All markets in Guma are now operational because residents have returned home. The governor is not lying.
“Fighting insecurity is not about constant public outcry; it requires real solutions. Ortom left Benue in ruins. He should be ashamed and seek forgiveness from the people,” he said.
Edo Ijaws Back Governor Okpehbolo, Aigboboh, Promise 2.5m Votes For Tinubu
Edo Ijaws Back governor Okpehbolo, Aigboboh, promise 2.5m votes for Tinubu. The Edo Ijaw community has thrown its weight behind Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpehbolo, and the Edo State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Hon. Sylvester Aigboboh.
The endorsement was announced by the national chairman of Phase 3 Amnesty Programme, Gen. Ogidigba Godstime Ogidigba, who spoke on behalf of the Edo Ijaws yesterday.
Ogidigba commended Okpehbolo’s administration for what he described as remarkable achievements in road construction, infrastructure, education, security, agriculture, and healthcare across the state.
He noted that the opposition had been significantly weakened, with key political figures defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Monday Okpebholo
However, Ogidigba urged the governor to prioritise the Udo–Inikorogha–Ofunama–Ajakurama road, describing it as critical to the socio-economic wellbeing of the Ijaw communities.
The Edo Ijaws pledged total support for Okpehbolo and Aigboboh, vowing to mobilise and deliver 2.5 million votes from Edo State for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in future elections.
VP Shettima Leads Armed Forces Remembrance Day In Tinubu’s Absence
VP Shettima leads Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Tinubu’s absence. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day in Abuja, as Tinubu attends Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
VP Shettima Leads Armed Forces Remembrance Day
The event honours fallen soldiers from past wars and ongoing operations, celebrates living veterans, and seeks support for their welfare and families.
The 2026 commemoration also highlights recent military successes in the Northeast.
Kano Governor Yusuf Does Not Need Kwankwaso’s Endorsement To Join APC: NNPP
Kano governor Yusuf does not need Kwankwaso’s endorsement to join APC: NNPP. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, does not need Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s endorsement to join the APC or any other party of his choice.
The party also stated that the governor did not need Kwankwaso’s approval to remain in the NNPP.
Recall that Yusuf is the NNPP sole governor whilst Kwankwaso is the party’s 2023 presidential candidate who was later expelled for alleged anti-party activities.
The NNPP statement was coming on the background of a statement by Kwankwaso’s Spokesman, Mr Ladipo Johnson that his principal has not endorsed Yusuf’s defection to the APC as reported.
Johnson in a statement on Sunday night, described a breaking news that Kwankwaso has reversed his position to endorse Yusuf’s defection as false.
Johnson had alleged that those seeking to move from the NNPP were responsible for misinforming the people on Kwankwaso’s stand.
The NNPP through its National Secretary,Mr Ogini Olaposi in Lagos on Monday, reiterated that the Kano governor as the party’s sole governor and Leader, does not need Kwankwaso’s approval to join the ruling party.
“Whilst we advise the governor to remain in the NNPP, we also understand that it is within his constitutional rights to join any party of his choice due to escalating legal battles.
“NNPP do not have any misgivings against any political party, including the APC and so cannot forcefully demand that its governor must remain in the party.
“If the governor had made up his mind to leave the NNPP, no dictatorial tendencies and blackmail can stop him.
“Yusuf has been doing well as the governor of Kano state and we will not be a stumbling block on his path by insisting he remains in the NNPP against his will,” Olaposi stated.
He reiterated that Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya Movement should stop distracting the governor and should allow him to continue his good works in Kano.
“What Kwankwaso has failed to tell us is if his stand on the governor’s alleged planned defection is out of godfatherism or he has personal issues against the ruling party.
“Whatever misgiving he has against the APC should remain personal and should not be forced on others wishing to join the party,’ he added.
Kano Governor Yusuf Does Not Need Kwankwaso’s Endorsement
Reacting to Johnson’s allegation that Kwankwaso described the impending move by some members of the Kwankwasiya movement and NNPP led by Yusuf, as a cold betrayal of trust and mandate given to him, the party said it is just nemesis.
“Kwankwaso and his group now know how betrayal feels, when he tried to hijack a party that gave him a platform to contest election for free in 2023.
“We will remain in support of the Kano state governor and any decision he takes but still advise and encourage him to have a rethink and remain with the NNPP.
“Kwankwaso remains expelled from the NNPP for the good of the party and members.”
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