Ortom, Kamp Alia collided again on the Benue Debt Profile

War of words -new words have erupted between the camps of the former Governor of the State of Benue, Samuel Ortom, and his successor, Governor of Hyacinth Alia, for conflicting claims regarding the profile of state debt and the accuracy of his financial disclosure.

The latest controversy was triggered by comments from the Director of Implementing Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemahaha, who revealed on Sunday that Alia’s government spent about 7.4 billion a month for debt service, a total of 21.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

Asenyahaa equalized the state debt burden by “flying plane to the turbulent hiaan,” placing a nomestic benue debt on 122.5 billion and external debt at $ 26.4 million, with what he called the debt service ratio of 413 percent.

He noted that despite the better flow of the federation account, most of the state revenue continues to be deducted for loan payments.

“In the first quarter of 2025 alone, ₦ 21.4 billion was reduced from the allocation of Faac Benue to serve the existing debt,” said Asemaha.

Defending the government’s fiscal approach, the Head of BIPC stated that the government of Governor Alia pursued an alternative income flow to strengthen the income generated internally, in addition to infrastructure investment aimed at stimulating the growth of the private sector and employment creation.

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However, Ortom’s media aide, Terver the act, quickly replied to the claim, accusing the Government of Alia wrongly describing the state’s financial position. He described the numbers released by BIPC as inconsistent and misleading.

The arithmetic questioning on the arithmetic behind the figures shows that “If ₦ 7.4 billion is spent every month for debt service, a total of three months must be ₦ 22.2 billion, not ₦ 21.4 billion as claimed.”

He further challenged the administration to reveal the monthly federal allocation and provide details that can be verified from all extraordinary obligations.

“The debt service ratio of 413 percent is unrealistic and cannot be verified,” said Akase. “The government has failed to declare the revenue base or reference year used in calculating that number.”

He demanded that the Alia government issue transparent debt register, including details of domestic and external debt, interest rates, maturity schedules, creditors, and repayment plans.

The act also calls for updates about the refund and delayed recovery, such as withdrawal of subsidies, arrears of stamp duty, and Sure-P funds that are not affected when Alia served in 2023.

Exchange marks the latest in a series of public disputes between the two camps on state financial management. While Alia’s administration continued to link the fiscal difficulties of Benue with the government of the past, the orthomic ally insisted that the governor used debt rhetoric to obscure the problem of transparency and accountability in his own government.