‘Using Ortom Is A New Low’ – Alia, Akume’s Camp Clash, Exchange Fire

The rift between Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, deepened over the weekend as their aides and supporters traded sharp words.

The dispute was reignited after Terver Akase, former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Samuel Ortom, shared a photo on Facebook of Ortom and Akume at a public event, appearing in high spirits.

... drew a swift reaction from Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, who criticized the interaction, describing it as “a new low.”

Naijaonpoint reports that Kula alleged that Akume’s camp was aligning with Ortom to undermine Alia’s administration.

“He is now the beautiful bride for those who detest the fact that Benue is undergoing rapid transformation in infrastructure. Ortom is now the melting pot against the restoration of the state as the agricultural hub.

“People are entitled to hold their political grudges and express their personal disappointments, but to do so using the Ortom banner is the new low,” Kula said.

He further accused Akume’s allies of exploiting Ortom to settle political scores, dismissing it as a desperate strategy.

In response, Akase, speaking on behalf of Ortom, advised Alia to “take a chill pill” and focus on governance instead of inflaming political tensions.

Akase defended Ortom’s attendance at the event, stating that the former governor had been invited and was merely exercising his constitutional right to free association.

“How a birthday celebration in Konshisha has unsettled Governor Alia and his media team remains baffling,” he added.

On Sunday, Kula escalated the rhetoric in a statement titled Does Senator Akume and His Team Really Care for Benue?.

He accused Akume of seeking unrestricted access to state funds and criticized his alliance with Ortom.

“It is evident that loyalty to Akume and access to resources are his only priorities. This alliance undermines the progress being made under Governor Alia’s leadership,” Kula argued.

The exchanges underscore growing divisions within the Benue chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).