Former appointees to the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, on Sunday paid him a solidarity visit, praising his leadership style, resilience in office, and legacy projects across the state, while pledging continued loyalty and support.
Speaking on behalf of former appointees from the 23 local government areas, Adzer Abya, thanked Ortom for the opportunity to serve in his administration, describing his leadership between 2015 and 2023 as inclusive and people-centred.
They recalled that Ortom governed during a period marked by two national economic recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic, which strained state finances nationwide, yet demonstrated courage and commitment to governance.
The former appointees said Ortom inherited a N72 billion backlog of salary and pension arrears in 2015 and paid over N40 billion before leaving office in 2023, noting also that his administration domesticated the Contributory Pension Scheme and paid about N8 billion in pension contributions, bringing the state closer to clearing outstanding pension liabilities.
On security, the group described the enactment and enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 as a defining moment, saying the policy prioritised the safety and dignity of Benue residents despite strong opposition.
They highlighted achievements in education, noting that over 1,000 school projects were executed across the state, alongside upgrades to learning facilities and the provision of furniture for pupils.
In the health sector, they said Ortom’s administration facilitated the graduation of state-sponsored medical doctors after years of stagnation and upgraded the Benue State University Teaching Hospital with modern equipment, including MRI and dialysis machines, while improving general hospitals and primary healthcare centres.
The group also commended improvements in road infrastructure linking major towns such as Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo, as well as the construction of palaces for the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma, which they said strengthened traditional institutions.
They further praised reforms in land administration through the establishment of the Benue Geographic Information Service, improved inter-arm harmony among the executive, legislature, and judiciary, and a transparent relationship with labour unions and local governments.
Addressing what they described as false claims by some individuals, the former appointees said Ortom governed without favouritism, noting that he did not appoint a commissioner from his local government area, Guma, throughout his eight years in office.
The group reaffirmed their solidarity with the former governor and pledged sustained support for his future political engagements, describing him as a leader whose legacy would endure in Benue State.
