Benue: Group challenges Gov. Alia to declare state’s monthly allocation, demands accountability 

…faults his inability to tackle insecurity in Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

A non governmental organization on the aegis of Benue advocacy Network (BAN), has challenged the governor of Benue state, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to publish the monthly allocations he has received from the federation’s account since May 2023 to date.

 The group who demanded accountability detailing how Benue’s funds are being expended by the governor charged him (Alia) to stop making reference to the immediate past administration.

They further faulted the governor for being adamant over the  insecurity affecting the state, which has led to thousands of deaths and displacement of persons in more communities.

Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi,  President of the group, Enoch Bemshima  Ortese, accused the governor of  embarking on self-glorification and avoiding key issues affecting the state, 

He stated that the governor made unsubstantiated claims during a live media chat with some television station  on Thursday.

The group questioned the governor’s reference to the ECOWAS Protocol as a justification for the nomadic cattle herders’ actions which has resulted in displacements of communities in 19 Local government areas of the state.

The president expressed displeasure over the governor’s failure to explain why he abandoned the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, which was effective in tackling the herdsmen menace.

BAN also faulted the governor’s claim that he had no data on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), stating that the previous government had carried out detailed documentation of IDPs in various camps.

They questioned the governor’s claims about the state’s financial situation, citing inconsistencies in the figures presented and as well disputed the governor’s claim of granting local government autonomy.

“BAN is calling for the governor to publish monthly allocations received from the federation’s account since May 2023 and provide accountability on how Benue’s funds are being expended.

“We want the governor to disclose the state’s wage bill and publish a list of “ghost workers” removed from the state government’s payroll and want him to explain the sustained attacks on communities and his plans to end these killings.

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“Governor Alia should equally explain to the people of Benue the whereabouts of the “100” vehicles he displayed on the day he launched a new security outfit known as “Anyam Nyor” in December last year. Where are the vehicles, given that no one seems to have sighted them in any part of the state, especially in the face of intensified attacks on our people?

” He should explain what has happened to the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, and why herders are taking over more communities in the state without any action from his government to stop them.

“We will not be overly concerned with Governor Alia’s boast that he must serve two terms of eight years in office, as if he were elected for a term of eight years. Such boasts have become synonymous with his government. The answer lies in the hands of God through the voters of Benue.

“Finally, we wish to make it abundantly clear that we will no longer sit and watch the Alia administration launch sustained media attacks on the previous government. Governor Alia has already spent two years in office with only two remaining, yet, he is still blaming the previous administration as if that is part of his stewardship. 

“He should instead tell Benue people what he has accomplished in the last two years. Every bit of falsehood he utters against the previous administration will be met with an equal response. 

“This government should also know that we are in a democracy, not a military dictatorship where freedom of expression is prohibited. The people are closely watching all their utterances and actions, and will respond at the appropriate time”, the group stated.