Former Speaker of the [Benue State House of Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benue_State_House_of_Assembly) and ex‑ambassador to Namibia, Terhemen Tarzoor, told reporters in Makurdi that former Governor Samuel Ortom’s recent televised remarks about Governor Hyacinth Alia were unbecoming and should be re‑examined for decorum. Tarzoor, who now coordinates the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign, said Ortom’s language threatened the dignity of the governor’s office and the people of Benue.
**What did Tarzoor say about Ortom’s remarks?**
Tarzoor described Ortom’s alleged description of Alia as a “419” and a “fake Reverend Father” as inappropriate. “My take is that the former governor should not call the number one citizen 419. He has no right to call him that,” he asserted, adding that political differences should not erode respect for elected officials.
**How did he defend the Catholic Church’s financial practices?**
Ortom reportedly likened Benue’s administration to a Catholic parish where priests allegedly collect and spend money unchecked. As a Knight of St. John International, Tarzoor countered that the Catholic Church operates under strict accountability structures. “There is no Catholic priest that can just earn money and spend at ease in the Catholic Church,” he explained, urging politicians to avoid unfounded attacks on religious institutions.
**Why should the two administrations not be compared directly?**
Tarzoor warned that Ortom’s eight‑year tenure and Alia’s three‑year term cannot be judged on the same scale without accounting for time‑frames and set goals. “In comparative statistics, you talk about time‑frame equality and goal equality before you can compare and contrast,” he noted.
**What is his view on alleged former‑governor entitlements?**
Addressing claims that Ortom was denied a house in Abuja and medical sponsorship, Tarzoor said he was unaware of any law guaranteeing such benefits to former governors. “When I was Speaker, we never had such a law anywhere,” he said, adding that any legitimate concerns should be pursued through proper channels rather than public disputes.
**How does he characterise the Alia administration’s openness?**
Tarzoor affirmed that Governor [Hyacinth Alia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_Alia) welcomes scrutiny and that the Freedom of Information Act provides a clear route for the public to examine state finances. “Governor Hyacinth Alia is open to all criticisms. The law is clear on freedom of information. You test it; the records will be there for you to see,” he urged, calling for constructive engagement and accountability.
Tarzoor concluded by condemning Ortom’s reported reference to some Benue residents as “shenanigans,” calling the term repugnant and insisting that political leaders use proper language to set a positive legacy for future generations.