The Network for Transparent Governance (NTG), finds it disturbing and concerning, the deteriorating governance situation in Benue State under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
After careful documentation and analysis, we are compelled to bring to public attention the systematic failure of governance that has characterized the state for about two years since Alia came to power. The following critical issues demand urgent attention:
1. Financial Opacity and Mismanagement:
Governor Alia has zero regard for transparency. For two consecutive years, he has refused to disclose the state wage bill. He has also refused to disclose monthly Federal Allocations to the state. There have been:
⁃ Deliberate concealment of Benue State’s Internal Revenue figures under Alia
⁃ Non-disclosure of Local Government allocations from the Federation Account
⁃ Alleged embezzlement of state and local government funds through questionable transactions
⁃ Arbitrary sealing of all government ministries, departments, and agencies’ bank accounts
⁃ Deliberate refusal to clear the arrears of salaries and pensions, despite receiving monumental monthly federal allocations since fuel subsidy was removed in 2023. All other state governors have since cleared the backlog of salaries and pensions which they inherited in their states
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2. Security Failures
Under Alia, there has been abject failure to protect the people from ongoing armed Fulani herdsmen attacks across many local government areas. Similarly, there have been:
⁃ Disturbing denial of documented herders’ attacks and killings
⁃ Refusal to implement the state’s Anti-open grazing law
⁃ Failure to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) despite campaign promises to do so within 100 days.
3. Governance Irregularities
Under Governor Alia, there have been:
⁃ Systematic violation of the Public Procurement Act and due process in contract awards
⁃ Award of contracts not captured in the state budget and without the State Executive Council approval
⁃ Flagrant disregard for government bureaucracy and established protocols
⁃ Creation of unauthorized bureaus/agencies without legislative approval
⁃ Improper interference in judicial matters, including the attempted unconstitutional removal of the State Chief Judge.
4. Economic Sabotage
Governor Alia has been engaging in:
⁃ Deliberate marginalization of indigenous contractors
⁃ Unjustified closure of private companies on frivolous grounds
⁃ Implementation of multiple illegal taxation systems crippling local businesses
⁃ Secret sale of government shares in major companies with misappropriation of proceeds
⁃ Absence of clear SME policies for economic development
⁃ Egregious inflation of contract costs, exemplified by the governor’s approval of N66.3 billion for a mere 14km road project (Wurukum to Airforce Base in Makurdi)
5. Abuse of Office
Governor Alia has a penchant for not honouring contractual agreements. Also under him, there have been:
⁃ Gross disregard and disobedience to court orders
⁃ Encouragement of political thuggery under the governor’s supervision
⁃ Refusal to address corruption cases against his indicted appointees
⁃ Failure to sanction officials who publicly insult citizens through media channels
6. Social Injustice
Under Alia, there is shocking neglect of equitable distribution in political appointments. Also, there is:
⁃ Disregard for state character principles in governance with 90% of key appointments going to Governor Alia’s kinsmen in Mbadede
⁃ Uneven distribution of development projects across zones. The governor has totally sidelined the people of Zone C.
⁃ Non-adherence to established political zoning arrangements
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The ongoing judiciary workers’ strike which is running into many months now further exemplifies the administration’s inability to manage basic governance functions. The government of Alia has become increasingly inaccessible to the very people it is meant to serve.
We call upon relevant oversight institutions, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Benue State House of Assembly, civil society organizations, and the media to investigate these allegations thoroughly before Governor Hyacinth Alia plunges the state into the abyss.
Signed:
Dennis Agema
President, Network for Transparent Governance (NTG)
Oliver Omenka
Secretary General, NTG
