News
ALIA’S PROBE REPORT: A DESPERATE WITCH-HUNT OF ORTOM ADMINISTRATION & A DISTRACTION FROM 3 YEARS OF FAILED GOVERNANCE
The attention of the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom has been drawn to the fanfare surrounding the submission of the report of the so-called Benue State Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry to the Benue State Government.
Ordinarily, Chief Ortom would have ignored yet another episode in the Hyacinth Alia administration’s continued obsession with his predecessor’s government. However, the desperate attempt to confer legitimacy on a process that is fundamentally flawed, legally challenged, and politically motivated compels a response.
Let it be stated clearly that what the people of Benue witnessed today was not an exercise in accountability. It was the culmination of a carefully scripted political witch-hunt designed from the outset to indict the government of Chief Samuel Ortom at all costs.
The public may recall that the Alia administration initially constituted two probe panels to investigate the immediate past administration. Those panels became the subject of legal challenge, and notices were duly served on the government. Rather than allow the courts to determine the issues raised, the administration dissolved the original panels and constituted a new one under a different name.
Even the current Commission whose report was presented today was served with notices arising from pending legal proceedings challenging the legitimacy of the exercise.
More importantly, there is a subsisting matter before the Court of Appeal on the same issues, with hearing scheduled for June 29, 2026. In addition, the Benue State Government itself approached the Supreme Court to challenge an Appeal Court decision that nullified the constitution of its probe panels established to investigate the previous administration.
The matter appeal remains pending before the apex court.
It is therefore astonishing that a government which voluntarily submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the courts would, in the same breath, proceed as though those judicial processes do not exist. This conduct betrays a disturbing lack of confidence in the judiciary and amounts to executive rascality of the highest order.
Rather than await the outcome of matters pending before competent courts, Governor Alia and his administration chose to abandon the path of law and embark on a media spectacle intended to achieve through propaganda what they have been unable to achieve through due process.
The timing of this so-called report is not accidental.
After three years in office, Governor Alia’s administration has little to showcase in terms of tangible achievements. Faced with mounting public concerns over insecurity, the plight of internally displaced persons, declining public confidence, industrial disputes in the education sector, and questions surrounding the management of enormous financial resources that have accrued to the state between May 29, 2023 and now, the government has resorted to making the Ortom administration the centrepiece of its governance agenda.
Whenever questions are asked about the over ₦1.3 trillion that has accrued to Benue State under the present administration, Governor Alia and his appointees quickly blame Ortom.
Whenever the administration struggles to explain its performance after three years in office, it blames Ortom.
Whenever insecurity worsens and communities continue to suffer attacks, the Alia government blames Ortom.
Whenever public dissatisfaction grows, it blames Ortom.
Indeed, no week appears to pass without Governor Alia or his appointees launching one media attack or another against the immediate past Governor.
The unfortunate reality is that Governor Alia has become more interested in prosecuting media battles against his predecessor than in addressing the serious challenges confronting Benue State.
Accountability cannot be achieved through predetermined conclusions. Justice cannot emerge from a process whose outcome was written long before the first witness was called.
Chief Ortom remains confident that the financial activities of his administration were conducted within the framework of the law and established governmental procedures. Under his watch, government accounts were subjected to statutory audits annually which were published in several national newspapers, budgets were regularly presented and passed, financial records were maintained by relevant institutions, and government transactions were conducted through established public service structures.
The former Governor has nothing to hide and he remains proud of his record in office and remains committed to the rule of law. He has absolute confidence that no amount of political persecution, propaganda, or manufactured reports can alter the facts of his administration’s stewardship.
He therefore urges the people of Benue State to see that phantom report for what it truly is: a desperate attempt to divert attention from the failures of the current administration and a politically motivated campaign targeted at a predecessor whose only offence is having served the state before Governor Alia.
Rather than weaponizing probes against the previous government, the Alia administration should account for the ₦1.3 trillion that has accrued to it in the last three years. Accountability begins with explaining your own record, not attacking others.
Signed:
Zege Paul Terhide
Media Assistant to Chief Samuel Ortom
June 20, 2026
- Nine abductors neutralized
A joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army and Police, backed with intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued all the school children and teachers kidnapped on May 15, 2026, by armed bandits in Oyo State.
Security sources confirmed that, during the operation, at least nine of the bandits were neutralized, bringing to an end the nearly two months in captivity of the children and their teachers.
According to the sources, the joint security forces, relying on intelligence from the DSS, swooped on the abductors early Friday morning.
The victims, made up of school children and their teachers, the sources said, are on their way to Ibadan to meet the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
The armed bandits reportedly linked to a Boko Haram faction—abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers during coordinated morning raids on three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. Sadly, a mathematics teacher in Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, Michael Oyedokun, who was among those kidnapped, was later beheaded by the bandits.
Details later
News
XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: SENATE DIASPORA COMMITTEE, YOUTH POLITICAL LEADERS UNITE TO PROTECT NIGERIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Aniekan Bassey, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of Nigerians living abroad.
Senator Bassey made this known on Friday when the national leadership of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of All Political Parties in Nigeria (FNYLPPN) met with him over the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
He described the safety and welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora as a national priority, stressing that no Nigerian should be subjected to violence, discrimination, or inhumane treatment because of nationality.
Senator Bassey assured the delegation that his Committee would continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, and international partners to ensure that the rights of Nigerians abroad are protected.
The Senator noted that beyond responding to isolated incidents, there was an urgent need for sustained diplomatic engagement, stronger institutional collaboration, and proactive policies aimed at preventing xenophobic attacks while promoting peaceful coexistence among African nations.
He further emphasized that his Committee remains committed to strengthening legislative oversight on issues affecting Nigerians in the diaspora, improving engagement with diaspora communities, and advocating policies that guarantee their safety, welfare, and meaningful participation in national development.
Senator Bassey commended the Forum for demonstrating patriotism by bringing the concerns of Nigerian youths and citizens abroad to the attention of the National Assembly, describing the visit as a reflection of the growing partnership between lawmakers and youth-led organizations in addressing national challenges.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, expressed concern over the recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, saying the development continued to threaten lives, livelihoods, and the image of Nigeria on the African continent.
He called on the Senate Committee to champion stronger legislative and diplomatic measures that would ensure the protection of Nigerians living overseas while encouraging the Federal Government to deepen bilateral engagement with South African authorities to prevent future occurrences.
The youth leader also pledged the Forum’s readiness to work closely with the Senate Committee in promoting national unity, youth inclusion, and advocacy initiatives that protect the interests of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
The meeting is expected to pave the way for broader consultations with key stakeholders and the formulation of policy recommendations aimed at addressing xenophobia, enhancing consular support, and reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to the protection of its citizens wherever they reside.
Media Unit
Office of the Senator
Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District
By Abigail David
The pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom, according to the Presidency.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development in a post on his verified X account on Friday, stating that security agencies secured the victims’ release.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.
He added that no concessions were made to the abductors to secure the victims’ freedom.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Orire Local Government Area.
According to authorities, 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were taken during the attacks.
The incident claimed the lives of two teachers. Joel Adesiyan was reportedly killed while trying to escape during the attack, while Michael Oyedokun was later confirmed dead in captivity.
The abduction sparked widespread concern across the country and prompted a month-long strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State. Security agencies had maintained that efforts to rescue the victims were ongoing, while the Oyo State Government consistently stated that it would not pay ransom for their release.
Tinubu, Wike laud Julius Berger for Abuja City Gate transformation
Breaking: All Kidnapped Oyo School Pupils, Teachers Rescued
XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: SENATE DIASPORA COMMITTEE, YOUTH POLITICAL LEADERS UNITE TO PROTECT NIGERIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA
-
News23 hours agoBREAKING: Kidnapped Oyo Pupils and Teachers Regain Freedom, Presidency Confirms
-
News23 hours agoXENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: SENATE DIASPORA COMMITTEE, YOUTH POLITICAL LEADERS UNITE TO PROTECT NIGERIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA
-
News18 hours agoBreaking: All Kidnapped Oyo School Pupils, Teachers Rescued
-
Uncategorized18 hours ago
Tinubu, Wike laud Julius Berger for Abuja City Gate transformation
You must be logged in to post a comment Login