Stop plotting against Alia’s govt, show your achievements- Amb. Tarzoor to lawmakers 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Former Nigerian Ambassador to Namibia, Terhemen Tarzoor, has challenged members of the national assembly from Benue State, to show their  achievements in the  last two years in their respective constituencies, saying that they have failed woefully.

He particularly asked the Senator from Benue zone B, senator Titus Zam to come and render his score cards, saying that he had failed and disappointed his immediate constituents.

Ambassador Tarzoor who threw the challenge  at a  press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) House in Makurdi, Benue State, Monday,  alleged that some politicians in  Benue state have allegedly raised a sum of N2 billion to destabilize the government of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Amb. Tarzoor said it was a well- orchestrated plot planned by some politicians who have chosen to be in the opposition to the well being of the state and her people.

The former speaker of the State assembly noted that such destabilising acts of these people in their individual capacities as well as collective efforts has assumed a worrisome dimension to the right thinking members of the society. 

According to him, “agents of darkness” were bent on frustrating the governor’s developmental strides through a coordinated smear campaign, false publications, and frivolous court cases, 

He noted that credible intelligence revealed that the plan, which is expected to take off on December 1, 2025, involves the deliberate dissemination of falsehoods about the governor and his administration. 

“We have uncovered a well-orchestrated plot by some politicians of Benue extraction who have chosen to be in opposition to the well-being of the state and her people, scheming to destabilize the administration of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia,” he said.

“They  have earmarked N2 billion to finance negative campaigns against the government. “Their agenda is to make the state ungovernable. Two elected members serving at the National Assembly have been assigned the role of spokespersons of this evil-minded group,” Tarzoor said.

“One wonders in disbelief why those who claim to be  political leaders would contemplate such action against the Reverend Gentleman, whose mandate is ordained by the Almighty to rescue the state and the masses.

“Benue people have received credible information that these malicious minded people have mobilised financial resources to the tune of N2B for the purpose of destabilising the Alia led administration with  further agenda to make the state ungovernable as from December 1, 2025”, Tarzoor said. 

He revealed that the plan includes launching a “vile campaign” accusing the government of financial impropriety, undermining state projects such as the Makurdi and Gboko underpass projects, and mobilizing youths to stage violent anti-Alia protests in parts of the state. 

“They have made contacts with key media organizations in Lagos and Abuja to continually publish falsehoods against our amiable governor in order to malign him and portray him negatively before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC.

“To ensure success of  of the plot, two elected members who are serving at the National Assembly have been assigned the role of spokespersons of the group. 

Sources have further informed  that the plot of the group will include launching a vile campaign and propaganda against the Alia led administration by raising false alarm of financial impropriety. 

“The group intend to undermine the accomplishment of Governor Alia’s major contracts with particular reference to the Underpass Projects in Makurdi and Gboko and major road projects across the state,as well as to lampoon the governor about his transparency stand”, he said.

The former ambassador further alleged that the plotters intend to send multiple petitions to anti-graft agencies and institute several court cases against key government officials in a bid to distract them from discharging their duties.

Tarzoor condemned what he described as “ignoble acts” by the unnamed politicians, warning that the people of Benue would not fold their arms and allow anyone to derail the administration’s progress. 

“We have details of all those who made the contributions and who is in custody of the evil funds. In due time, we will expose these people and bring them before the court of public opinion as enemies of the people of Benue State,” he stated.

He recalled that those behind the alleged plot were also responsible for the recent rumors that Governor Alia was critically ill. 

“They spread a senseless rumor that the governor was flown unconscious to Abuja and then overseas for medical attention, when in fact, he was in Abuja holding strategic meetings to attract development to Benue. What a shame,” he remarked.

The former ambassador assured that the plan would fail, just as previous attempts to discredit or impeach the governor had failed. 

“His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia is focused and determined to deliver the dividends of democracy to the masses of Benue State. He will not be distracted by these political shenanigans.

“The group has planned to institute multiple court cases against key Government officials in the Alia government in order to distract them from effectively discharging their official duties. 

Numerous other malicious plans have been lined up as part of the destabilisation plot against the Benue.

He declared that both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Alia would receive overwhelming support for re-election in 2027, adding that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock as well as in the Benue Government House.

While  answering questions from journalists  on his relationship with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and his apparent alignment with Governor Alia, Tarzoor said: “Governor Alia is now the father of the state and he is doing well; hence, the need to give him all the necessary support..

“,I recognise the fact that the SGF Akume made me ambassador, but that doesn’t stopped me from saying the right thing. We must speak the truth about good leadership. 

“I wanted to be governor and it couldn’t worked but all the things I had in mind to deliver were the things Alia is give delivering to Benue people. I wanted to site fly, underpass, and numerous other projects and Alia has almost done them”, he said.

When asked to name the alleged plotters, he replied, “Don’t be in a hurry. I will mention their names in due time.”

Reacting to suggestions that his support for Alia might be politically motivated as there were rumors that he was romancing with the governor to contest an elective position, Tarzoor dismissed the claim as baseless. 

“To say that will be an underestimation of my person because I have served this state in several capacities — as Majority Whip, Majority Leader, Speaker, gubernatorial candidate of the then rulling party, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Namibia. 

“I have also been Senator George Akume’s campaign DG. I think I have the experience to comment on governance in Benue State. If I want to seek election, I am a bona fide son of Benue; I will do that,” he said.

On whether he had raised a campaign office for President Tinubu in Benue because there were reports recently that the president’s campaign office was demolished in Makurdi, Tarzoor who is Tinubu’s campaign coordinator in Be ue State said he was unaware of such.

 “I am hearing about it for the first time. I am not aware of the existence of any Tinubu campaign office in Makurdi,” he clarified.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, urged political actors, including stakeholders, and aspirants to prioritize the unity and development of the state as the 2027 general elections approach.

He also advised journalists to take advantage of the remaining four days to participate in the screening exercise at the NUJ House, warning that those who fail to participate would no longer be allowed to cover press briefings at the secretariat.