Former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has accused his successor, Hyacinth Alia, of launching a media attack against him.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Terver Akase, the former governor alleged that Alia has, since his assumption of office, subjected him to “all forms of persecution”.
According to Ortom, If the governor is not accusing him of “looting the state’s treasury and assets, he is blaming him for providing employment to Benue youths”.
This comes amid allegations that the former governor embezzled public funds while in office.
Ortom had last week honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following his alleged involvement in looting the state treasury.
He was reacting specifically to the move by Alia to inaugurate an Assets Recovery Committee where the former governor was accused of looting government assets.
The statement reads partly, “Since May 29, 2023, Governor Alia and his team have been intent on tarnishing Ortom’s hard-earned reputation by putting him on trial in the media.
“Our advice to Governor Alia remains the same: focus on governance and deliver on the numerous promises he made to the people during the campaigns.
“Blaming Chief Ortom for the government’s lack of progress in addressing development issues does not lend credibility to the current administration”.
