Makurdi – The Alliance for Truth and Democracy (ATD) has challenged the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to publicly account for what it described as approximately ₦4.386 billion donated by individuals, international organisations and government officials to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state.
In a statement signed by its President, Jerome Zoho, the group questioned the whereabouts of the humanitarian funds, alleging that more than a year after the donations were made, the state government had not provided a comprehensive public account of how the money had been managed or spent.
According to the group, the donations followed the Yelewata massacre and other violent attacks that displaced thousands of residents across Benue State.
ATD listed the donations as including ₦886 million from the European Union, ₦1.8 billion from international organisations, ₦1 billion from the Renewed Hope Initiative of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ₦500 million from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ₦150 million from Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, and ₦50 million from Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, bringing the total to about ₦4.386 billion.
The organisation expressed concern that there had been no detailed public breakdown of the funds, no transparent disbursement framework, and no official explanation of how the donations had been utilised.
“ATD said the funds belonged morally and practically to the victims of the attacks and not to any government official or political appointee,” the statement said.
The group further argued that displaced families continued to face hunger, disease, homelessness and trauma despite the significant donations reportedly received on their behalf.
ATD also criticised Governor Alia’s handling of the state’s security situation, alleging that he had failed to fulfil campaign promises to restore security and facilitate the return of displaced persons to their ancestral communities.
It maintained that humanitarian funds should be subject to the highest level of transparency, insisting that “every kobo must be traceable, every transaction verifiable and every beneficiary identifiable.”
The group demanded the immediate publication of all donations received for Benue IDPs, disclosure of expenditures made from the funds, publication of the names of implementing agencies and beneficiaries, an independent audit of the humanitarian donations, and monthly public reports on relief interventions.
ATD also urged internally displaced persons across the state to demand accountability for resources donated in their name, insisting that victims had a right to know how the funds intended for their welfare had been managed.
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The organisation concluded by calling on Governor Alia to publicly disclose the status of the donations, the amount spent, beneficiaries and the impact of the interventions, warning that continued silence could further erode public confidence.
The Benue State Government had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
FULL STATEMENT
Alia, where is the ₦4.386 billion donated for Benue IDPs?
The Alliance for Truth and Democracy (ATD) is compelled to ask Governor Hyacinth Alia a question that millions of Benue people are asking in whispers today and will soon be asking loudly:
Where is the ₦4.386 billion donated for internally displaced persons in Benue State?
Following the gruesome Yelewata massacre and other coordinated attacks that left hundreds dead and thousands displaced, compassionate Nigerians, international organizations, and public officials rallied to the aid of Benue’s suffering population.
The donations were substantial:
- European Union – ₦886 million
- International organizations – ₦1.8 billion
- First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Foundation – ₦1 billion
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – ₦500 million
- Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa – ₦150 million
- SGF, Senator George Akume – ₦50 million
The total comes to approximately ₦4.386 billion.
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Yet, more than a year later, there has been no comprehensive public accounting of these funds, no detailed breakdown of expenditure, no transparent disbursement framework, and no convincing explanation as to how billions donated for suffering victims are being utilized.
This is unacceptable.
The governor cannot continue to treat legitimate questions about humanitarian funds as if they are personal attacks.
These funds do not belong to Governor Alia.
They do not belong to government officials.
They do not belong to political appointees.
They belong morally and practically to the victims whose blood, tears, and suffering moved the world to open its heart and wallet.
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While billions of Benue resources remain shrouded in secrecy, displaced families continue to battle hunger, disease, homelessness, trauma, and uncertainty.
Children are growing up in camps.
Mothers are struggling to survive.
Communities have been wiped out.
Entire livelihoods have been destroyed.
Yet, the government that received billions on behalf of these victims appears unwilling to provide the transparency that such a humanitarian emergency demands.
Governor Alia promised security.
He promised to return displaced persons to their ancestral homes within his first 100 days in office. He failed to do so.
He promised a new era of leadership. He has failed to provide leadership.
Instead, Benue is witnessing expanding displacement, recurring attacks, growing humanitarian distress, and unanswered questions about resources donated for victims.
The contradiction is glaring.
The silence is troubling.
The lack of transparency is indefensible.
If billions have been spent, where is the expenditure report?
If projects have been executed, where are the details?
If beneficiaries have been supported, where are the records?
If the money is intact, why has the government not publicly disclosed its status?
These are simple questions.
The refusal to provide simple answers only fuels public suspicion and deepens the crisis of confidence between the government and the people.
ATD wishes to remind Governor Alia that humanitarian funds are not political funds.
They are not campaign funds.
They are not discretionary funds.
They are emergency resources entrusted to government for the sole purpose of alleviating human suffering.
Every kobo must be traceable.
Every transaction must be verifiable.
Every beneficiary must be identifiable.
Anything less is a betrayal of public trust.
We therefore demand:
- Immediate publication of all donations received for Benue IDPs.
- Immediate disclosure of all expenditures made from the funds.
- Publication of the names of implementing agencies and beneficiaries.
- Independent auditing of all humanitarian donations received by the state government.
- Monthly public reports on the status of the funds and relief interventions.
We also call on displaced persons across Benue State to insist on transparency regarding resources donated in their name.
The victims must not allow themselves to become mere statistics while others speak on their behalf.
The funds were donated because of their suffering.
They therefore have every right to ask questions.
They have every right to demand accountability.
They have every right to know what has become of the resources provided for their welfare.
Governor Alia must stop hiding behind official silence and address the people directly.
Benue people are tired of speeches about “skirmishes.”
They are tired of excuses.
What they want now are answers.
The governor must tell the people where the ₦4.386 billion is, how much has been spent, who benefited, and what impact the money has made.
Anything short of full disclosure will continue to raise serious concerns and further erode public confidence.
The victims have waited long enough.
And Governor Hyacinth Alia owes them those answers now.
Signed:
Jerome Zoho
President
Alliance for Truth and Democracy (ATD)
Benue State
