The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has launched a scathing critique against the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of implementing what he termed an "evil agenda" in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today on Monday, Ortom revealed he experienced significant frustration while serving as governor during Buhari's presidency.
"Of course, I've said it. It wasn't hidden and I have raised the alarm several times," Ortom stated when asked if he had been frustrated under the Buhari administration.
The former governor specifically pointed to controversial agricultural and land use policies introduced during Buhari's tenure, alleging they were deceptive in nature and part of a hidden agenda.
"They brought different programmes to execute the evil agenda that the then-government had on Nigeria," Ortom claimed. "Be it Ruga, be it cattle colony, be it livestock development programme, all those things were just a camouflage to deceive Nigerians and I raised an alarm."
Ortom, who was known for his vocal opposition to these policies during his governorship, expressed disappointment that his concerns were repeatedly ignored by the federal government at the time.
"Each time they brought it, I stood against it and it's unfortunate they never listened," he added.
The controversial policies mentioned by Ortom, particularly the Ruga settlement scheme, sparked significant debate across Nigeria during Buhari's presidency, with several state governors and regional groups opposing their implementation.
Ortom's latest comments add to the ongoing discourse about the legacy of the Buhari administration, which ended in May 2023 following the completion of his constitutionally allowed two terms in office.
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