A Nigerian Christian, Mr. Joseph Waya has sent a petition to the Vatican, calling for the urgent intervention of Pope Leo XIV over what he describes as the damaging conduct of Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State. The petition had raised serious concerns about Alia’s involvement in partisan politics, allegations of corruption, incitement to violence, and his strained relationship with the Church, which had previously played a significant role in his election.
Mr Waya, a devout Catholic, has emphasized that his appeal is rooted in moral and religious duty. He notes that Alia, who was elected governor on May 29, 2023, was initially trusted by the Christian population of Benue State to provide honest and moral governance, given his background as a priest. However, after more than two years in office, the petitioner laments that Alia’s conduct has been disappointing and damaging to the reputation of the Church.
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“The state has descended into despair, and alarmingly, public resentment is beginning to extend beyond the governor to the Church itself,” the petition warns, highlighting the widening discontent among the populace.
The petition which is copied to the Archdiocese of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama and the four Catholic Bishops in Benue State, stresses that Governor Alia has engaged in unprecedented levels of corruption, with online reports documenting allegations of misappropriation amounting to over ₦345 billion (roughly $225 million) through dubious contracts awarded without proper approval or due process. Despite this massive expenditure, the state reportedly lacks basic amenities, and the economy is in disarray, with roads impassable and public services failing.
“Despite these enormous expenditures, no meaningful projects have been commissioned, leaving the state with impassable roads and a complete absence of basic amenities. This financial mismanagement created such tension between the governor and the State Assembly that the state was effectively paralysed for weeks, culminating in the forced resignation of the Assembly Speaker”, the petition states.
In addition to financial mismanagement, the petition accuses Alia of fostering political divisions and institutional conflicts. It states that he has clashed with political mentors, attempted to control party leadership, and created factions that have led to violence and instability. The governor’s actions have also resulted in the closure of courts for several months due to disputes over the judiciary, further destabilizing democratic processes in Benue, the petition states.
Most troubling, according to the petition, is Governor Alia’s open hostility towards the Church itself. Despite Benue State being home to four Catholic dioceses, the governor is said to have maintained frosty relations with bishops and priests, publicly abusing the Bishop of Makurdi during the campaign and systematically excluding the Church from public functions. The petitioner warns that this antagonism has undermined the Church’s moral authority in Nigeria.
The petition further accuses Alia of inciting violence ahead of the 2027 elections. It states that the governor has been touring Benue State, instigating supporters to violence against political opponents, and has formed a group of thugs called “No Alia, No Benue,” which he claims will secure re-election “by whatever means, including diabolical.” Formal petitions have been filed with security agencies over threats of physical assault and intimidation, the petition says.
The petition further accuses Governor Alia of compromising the security of his own people. The petitioner alleges that the governor vowed to repeal the anti-open grazing law that had significantly reduced attacks by Fulani jihadists. Following Alia’s election, the petition says the governor suspended the law, leading to a surge in deadly attacks on Benue people, including the recent massacre in Yelewata where over 200 people were killed. The petitioner criticizes Alia’s insensitivity during the President Bola Tinubu’s condolence visit, where the governor is said to have celebrated amid the national mourning.
The petitioner urges the Vatican to take decisive action to address the situation, warning that Alia’s continued misconduct risks dividing the Church and damaging its reputation in Nigeria.
