Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has accused his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of seizing 23 vehicles that he said were legitimately allocated to him by the state government.

Ortom made the allegation on Tuesday, September 8, during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he said he challenged the seizure in court and secured a judgment in his favour.

Ortom says court ordered return of vehicles

According to the former governor, the court ordered the Benue State Government to return the vehicles and pay him ₦5 million in damages.

Ortom alleged that the seizure formed part of what he described as the Alia administration’s “witch-hunt” against political opponents.

“After I left office, vehicles that were given to me legitimately by the government, this government [Alia administration] went and seized them in a manner that was not befitting,” Ortom said.

“No communication was made to me. I went to court, and we defeated the government. And they were asked to pay me N5 million in addition to returning the 23 vehicles they took away from me, which were legitimately given to me by the government.”

Former governor accuses Alia of sidelining stakeholders

Ortom also accused the Alia administration of sidelining political stakeholders in the state.

He claimed that no stakeholders’ meeting involving political parties had been held since Alia assumed office.

The former governor further alleged that Alia recently directed traditional rulers not to receive him when he visited his kinsmen to inform them about his wife’s senatorial ambition.

Ortom raises concerns over local government funds

Ortom also claimed that local government chairmen in Benue had yet to gain control of their funds despite the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming financial autonomy for local governments.

The allegations add to the ongoing political disagreements between the former governor and the incumbent administration.

The claims made by Ortom represent his account of the issues, while the Alia administration’s response to the allegations was not included in the information provided.