Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has directly accused his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, of masterminding the highway blockade that prevented Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi from visiting victims of recent communal violence.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ortom condemned the disruption as an assault on democratic principles, challenging Governor Alia—a Catholic priest—to publicly defend his innocence under oath.

"It is unfortunate that someone who is a supposed reverend father is telling lies.

"Can he come out and swear by the Bible that he claims to be a reverend priest and say that he was not aware of what happened yesterday? It was a deliberate attempt. He did it," Ortom stated during the interview.

The former governor emphasized that his public stance was guided by democratic principles rather than political endorsement.

"I am not supporting Peter Obi, but it is wrong. Allow democracy which is anchored on the rule of law to prevail, not to stop other people so that you take advantage," Ortom added.

Ortom’s televised remarks follow the arrest of 46 suspects by the Benue State Police Command after armed youths barricaded the Makurdi-Gboko Federal Highway, turning back Obi's entourage as they attempted to travel to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area.

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