The Benue State Government has called on former Governor Samuel Ortom to explain how a vehicle linked to him was used to transport Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), during a visit to Makurdi.
Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, raised the matter at a press conference held at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi on Friday, September 11, 2026. Kula described Obi's arrival in the state capital as lacking transparency and said the government had opened an investigation into the incident.
FRSC Records Trace Vehicle to Ortom
According to Kula, early findings from the investigation pointed to a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GWA 608 BT, registered in Abuja, as the vehicle that conveyed Obi from the Makurdi Airport. A check through Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) vehicle records returned the following registration details: owner listed as Dr Samuel Ortom, address given as Judges Quarters, Makurdi, chassis number JTMHX01J2L5102347, application date June 18, 2021, and the vehicle model recorded as a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Kula questioned the apparent contradiction, asking: "The question is, how can someone who publicly says he is working for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu make his vehicle available for the use of another presidential candidate?"
Ortom's Public Statements vs Private Dealings
The spokesman noted that Ortom had, in a recent media interview, declared his backing for President Tinubu's second-term bid. Kula also alleged that Ortom, still a leading figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, played a role in the emergence of Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, as the PDP governorship candidate in the state.
Kula said the incident pointed to a possible contradiction between Ortom's public political statements and his private dealings, suggesting the former governor may be speaking from both sides of his mouth. He added that the situation had heightened concern about Ortom's behind-the-scenes political influence in Benue State as parties and candidates step up campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Criticism of Ortom's Tenure and Call for Vigilance
Kula also took aim at Ortom's eight-year tenure as governor, describing it as a period marked by poor governance and accusing him of using allies and proxies to keep his grip on Benue's political landscape. He called on residents of Benue State to monitor the former governor's political activities closely in the coming months.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that youths blocked Obi's convoy along the Gboko-Makurdi Expressway on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident but said the reason for the blockade was still unknown. Amid this, the NDC accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of mobilising the youths, a claim the ruling party denied, saying it does not engage in thuggery.
