From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Group under the auspices of Benue Advocacy Network, BAN, has expressed disappointment over Governor Hyacinth Alia’s recent media chat, accusing him of making unsubstantiated claims and avoiding critical issues affecting the state.
Making their position known while reacting to the issues that Governor Alia had raised in his media chat during a press conference held yesterday in Makurdi, the group criticised him for downplaying the severity of insecurity in Benue State, particularly the attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen, which they argued have resulted in thousands of deaths and displacement of communities.
The President of the group, Bemshima Ortese, insisted that Governor Alia’s description of these incidents as “skirmishes” was misleading.
The network equally expressed concern over the governor’s reversal of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, which they noted effectively addressed the herdsmen menace, pointing out that abandonment of the law had led to the resurgence of open grazing and attacks on farmers.
BAN also disputed the governor’s claim that the state had no data on Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, citing the detailed documentation carried out by the previous government through Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA.
On financial management, the group questioned the governor’s assertion that he inherited N359 billion salary arrears, explaining that the actual figure was N187.56 billion, as stated in the handover notes.
BAN also criticised his lack of transparency in managing the state’s resources and demanded that government
publish the monthly allocations received from the federation’s account since May 2023, as well as requested accountability in the management of Benue’s funds and disclosure of its wage bill.
The group urged Governor Alia to demonstrate transparency in the award of contracts, as well as publish details of contracts awarded and the cost of underpasses constructed in Makurdi and Gboko.
On insecurity and the issue of IDPs, the network urged him to address the security situation and provide a plan to end the attacks, as well as explain to the public reasons behind his construction of additional IDP camps instead of fulfilling his campaign promise of relocating displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
Benue Advocacy Network vowed to no longer tolerate the Alia administration’s sustained media attacks on the previous government and called on the governor to focus on his accomplishments and address the state’s pressing issues.
BAN also reminded him to note that though a cleric, he is no longer on the pulpit, but a politician and should know that every bit of falsehood he utters against the previous administration will this time be met with equal response, adding that Benue people are closely watching his utterances and actions and will respond at the appropriate time.
The group urged Alia to promote transparency and accountability in governance, by ensuring the welfare and safety of Benue citizens instead of misleading the public with falsehood.
