I Rejected ₦75bn Offer to Repeal Anti-Grazing Law” – Ortom Opens Up on Tough Years as Benue Governor
I Rejected ₦75bn Offer to Repeal Anti-Grazing Law” – Ortom Opens Up on Tough Years as Benue Governor
Former Samuel Ortom has revealed the intense political and financial pressure he faced during his time in office, claiming his administration was allegedly starved of funds by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari because of Benue State’s controversial anti-grazing law.
Speaking about the difficult period, Ortom said his government struggled to meet key financial obligations, including the payment of workers’ salaries, pensions, and gratuities, due to what he described as deliberate financial pressure from the centre.
According to the former governor, the crisis began after Benue State enacted its open-grazing prohibition law aimed at addressing violent clashes between farmers and herders.
Alleged ₦75 Billion Offer to Repeal Law
Ortom disclosed that he was once summoned to Abuja during the height of the crisis, where he was allegedly offered financial incentives to repeal the anti-grazing legislation.
According to him, the proposal included ₦40 billion to offset salary arrears in the state and another ₦35 billion for infrastructure development, on the condition that the law would be scrapped.
However, Ortom said he rejected the offer.
“I was called to Abuja and told that if I repealed the anti-grazing law, ₦40 billion would be provided to Benue to clear arrears of salaries, while another ₦35 billion would be provided for infrastructural development,” he said.
“I rejected the offer.”
Salary Crisis and Political Pressure
The former governor explained that the alleged financial blockade created severe hardship for the state government, leading to delays in the payment of salaries and retirement benefits.
He noted that the situation became a major political weapon for his opponents, who accused his administration of mismanagement and incompetence.
According to Ortom, opposition figures capitalised on the economic difficulties to weaken his political standing among residents of the state.
“It Was a Painful Period”
Reflecting on the experience, Ortom said the pressure was not only political but also deeply personal.
He claimed some members of his administration were allegedly recruited by the federal government during the crisis, further isolating him politically.
The former governor also expressed disappointment that many of his appointees distanced themselves from him after he left office.
“It was a difficult moment for me. Sometimes I wept,” he admitted.
“My appointees abandoned me when I left office.”
Anti-Grazing Law and National Debate
The anti-open grazing law introduced in Benue State became one of the most controversial security policies during the Buhari administration, sparking heated debates across Nigeria about how to address persistent farmer-herder conflicts.
Supporters argued the law was necessary to protect farming communities, while critics claimed it worsened tensions and complicated livestock management across the country.
Despite the political and economic pressure he said he faced, Ortom maintained that he stood by the decision to protect the interests of Benue farmers
