Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has lamented that he still lives in Games Village, Abuja, despite serving eight years as governor of the state.
Ortom, who governed Benue between 2015 and 2023, disclosed that he has remained in the same residence since 2008, when he served as the National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s *Political Paradigm*, the former governor questioned how many of his colleagues still lived in similar circumstances after leaving office.
‘Which ex-governor is living in Games Village?’ he asked.
Ortom explained that under the state’s existing arrangements for former governors, he was entitled to a house in Abuja or another location of his choice.
However, he alleged that his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, cancelled the benefits provided under the law enacted by the Benue State House of Assembly.
According to him, the entitlements also included annual medical examinations at a hospital of his choice, either within Nigeria or abroad, with the expenses covered by the state government.
The former governor said he had not received those benefits since leaving office in May 2023.
He also disclosed that his monthly salary while serving as governor was less than ?600,000, maintaining that it was no different from what other governors earned.
Ortom insisted that the allowances and other provisions for former governors were separate from their salaries and were backed by legislation.
The former governor’s latest remarks add to his continuing disagreement with the administration of Alia, who succeeded him in 2023.
Ortom belongs to the PDP, while Alia was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Benue State Government’s response to Ortom’s latest allegations was not included in the interview report.