From JOHNSON NONGU, Makurdi
Former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom, Terver Akase, has described the Alia administration as “rattled” by the growing opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, amid the controversy surrounding Peter Obi’s recent visit to Benue.
Akase spoke on Saturday in Makurdi while reacting to the exchanges between the state government and opposition figures following Obi’s humanitarian visit to internally displaced persons in the state.
He accused the administration of shifting attention from the controversy over the reported obstruction of Obi’s movement to attacks on former Governor Samuel Ortom and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Michael Aondoakaa.
“The truth is that the Alia administration is rattled,” Akase told journalists, arguing that the government’s response to the controversy reflected growing political anxiety ahead of the election.
He questioned why the administration had not provided what he considered satisfactory explanations about the reported obstruction of Obi’s movement during the visit.
Akase said the political exchanges should not distract the government from issues affecting residents, including insecurity, agriculture, infrastructure, unemployment, education and healthcare.
He also challenged the administration to account for funds accruing to Benue since Alia assumed office in 2023, particularly increased allocations from the Federation Account following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
According to him, the government should tell residents what it has received, the projects executed with the funds and their impact across the state’s 23 local government areas.
Akase also criticised what he described as the alleged failure of the governor’s spokesman to sufficiently address the recent attack on Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area.
He said the reported killing of residents and security personnel in the community deserved greater attention from government officials than political disagreements.
On the allegation that Ortom supported Obi’s visit despite publicly backing President Bola Tinubu, Akase said the former governor had openly stated his political positions.
He also defended Ortom over the allegation that his vehicle was used to convey Obi during the visit, saying providing transportation to a former governor and presidential candidate on a humanitarian mission should not be treated as an offence.
Akase described the gesture as an act of courtesy and statesmanship, saying the vehicle controversy had unnecessarily turned a humanitarian visit into another political confrontation.
He further argued that sustained criticism of Aondoakaa by the ruling camp showed that the PDP candidate was being regarded as a serious contender for the 2027 governorship election.
“That explains the panic. That explains the relentless smear campaign. That explains the desperate effort to drag his name into every political conversation,” he said.
Akase said Aondoakaa was offering voters an alternative centred on security, accountability, justice and good governance.
He said the candidate had pledged to strengthen security, enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, facilitate the return of displaced persons to their ancestral communities and create conditions for farmers to safely return to their farms.
Akase also highlighted Aondoakaa’s promise to promote genuine local government autonomy and end what he described as the practice of elected council officials depending on the state government for resources.
He maintained that the 2027 election would be determined by the records and programmes of competing political forces rather than personal attacks.
The controversy followed Obi’s September 8 visit to Benue and the reported obstruction of his movement into Makurdi during the humanitarian visit.