Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has strongly criticised the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of pursuing what he called an “evil agenda” against the Nigerian people.
Ortom made the remarks on Monday while speaking on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels Television. He said several policies introduced during Buhari’s tenure, especially in the area of agriculture and land use, were designed to deceive Nigerians.
The former governor pointed specifically to the cattle colony initiative, the controversial Ruga settlement plan, and the national livestock development programme. According to him, these schemes were not aimed at solving the farmers-herders crisis but were instead part of a hidden agenda.
“They brought different programs to execute the evil agenda that the then-government had on Nigeria,” Ortom said. “Be it Ruga, be it cattle colony, be it livestock development program — all those things were just a camouflage to deceive Nigerians.”
Ortom, who governed Benue State from 2015 to 2023, was one of the most vocal critics of the Buhari administration’s approach to security and land management, especially in states affected by deadly clashes between farmers and herders.
He noted that throughout his tenure, he consistently resisted these programs because he believed they were against the interest of his people.
“Each time they brought it, I stood against it and it’s unfortunate they never listened,” he said. “Of course, I’ve said it. It wasn’t hidden, and I have raised the alarm several times.”
Benue, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation”, was one of the hardest-hit states by herders’ attacks during Buhari’s presidency. Ortom repeatedly called for justice and the protection of farming communities, often clashing with federal authorities.
His comments come months after Buhari’s death and amid ongoing debates about how the former president’s policies have affected national unity and security.
