Alia, Akume’s rift deepens as supporters exchange words

Uneasy relationship between the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has deteriorated as aides and supporters of the two APC chiefs exchanged words at the weekend.

It began when the former Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, posted a picture of his principal and Akume at a public function in a jovial mood on Facebook.

Responding to the post, the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Tersoo Kula, wrote: “Romancing with former Governor, Samuel Ortom, is the new low.” He accused the Akume camp of courting the former governor to use him in their fight against Alia.

“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,” he said.

Akase advised Alia to “take a chill pill and refrain from unnecessarily heating up the polity”.

In his own rejoinder, titled: ‘Governor Alia ought to focus on development issues’, Akase stated: “His Excellency Ortom once again wishes to advise his successor to take a chill pill and refrain from unnecessarily heating up the political atmosphere.

“The mere fact that the former governor was in the company of other prominent Benue sons and daughters at the event in Konshisha should not make Governor Alia to lose his sleep and cause his media team to wage a war of attrition against those who attended the thanksgiving, as he is currently doing.”

“Chief Ortom, like any other Benue person, is free to associate with other people as enshrined in the Constitution of this country. The former governor was duly invited to the birthday celebration and he honoured the invitation. How the Agidi event has caused Governor Alia and his team so much trouble is beyond comprehension.”

In another caustic response on Sunday, titled: Does Senator Akume and His Team Really Care for Benue?, the Alia camp, through Kula, accused Akume of hobnobbing with Ortom because Alia has refused to allow him “unfettered access” to the state’s coffers.

“What does the SGF, Senator George Akume, really want? It has become apparent even to the blind, deaf and dumb that loyalty to him and unfettered access to state resources are the only metrics for approval.

“As such, the suffering of the people is of no importance to him. If Akume truly cares for Benue and the people, he must do well to reconsider his unholy alliance with Ortom. Ortom’s past actions have shown little regard for human dignity and general welfare of our citizens.

“Akume may not know, but for any sane Benue and any lover of development, his and his faction’s regrouping against a new leadership that prioritises the masses speaks volumes.”