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Benue’s Financial Turmoil: Ortom Challenges Alia’s Claims, Demands Transparency
- Clash of Narratives: Former Governor Ortom Refutes Successor’s Allegations
- Unsubstantiated Figures: Alia Accused of Embellishments and Fabrications
- Unveiling the Truth: Call for Concrete Evidence on State’s Financial Situation
Eko Hot Blog reports that tensions are escalating in Benue State as former governor Samuel Ortom has called upon his successor, Hyacinth Alia, to provide concrete proof to substantiate his claims regarding the state’s finances, including incomes, wage bills, and debts.
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Ortom has accused Alia of embarking on embellishments and shocking fabrications, questioning the rationale behind the governor’s alleged smear campaign against his administration.
In a statement released by his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom expressed bewilderment at Alia’s allegations, which were made without backing them up with figures.
The statement read, “We find the above statements not only false and misleading but also wonder why the Governor would embark on embellishments and shocking fabrications to sustain such a narrative, in continuation of his smear campaign against his predecessor.”
Ortom specifically challenged Alia’s assertion that the previous administration left arrears of salaries running into hundreds of billions of naira. “It is simplistic to state that the present government inherited arrears of wages in hundreds of billions. The question is; what is the overall wage bill of the state if the arrears of workers’ emoluments run into hundreds of billions?” Ortom questioned, further adding, “Does Governor Alia want the people to believe that his predecessor did not pay salaries even for one month in eight years?”
The former governor also cast doubt on Alia’s claim of inheriting “more ghost schools than the existing functional schools,” emphasizing the need for the governor to substantiate his allegations with concrete figures.
Ortom’s statement referenced Alia’s 2024 budget speech, in which the governor stated that his administration would spend a total of N56.4 billion for the year on personnel costs, including salaries, pensions, and gratuities.
Ortom pointed out that Alia also admitted in the same speech that personnel costs were expected to increase by 17.1% compared to the provisions made in the Revised 2023 budget, implying that the previous administration was indeed paying workers’ wages.
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As the clash of narratives intensifies, the people of Benue State eagerly await transparency and accountability from both parties.
Ortom’s demand for concrete evidence and Alia’s response to the allegations will be crucial in unveiling the true financial situation of the state and addressing any discrepancies or mishandlings that may have occurred during the transition of power.
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