In response to allegations made by a group accusing the government of mismanaging 44 billion naira, the Benue State Government has swiftly reacted, denouncing the claims as false and aimed at derailing the governor’s developmental agenda for the state.
Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, refuted the allegations, emphasizing that they are baseless and intended to distract the governor from his commitment to advancing the welfare of the people of Benue State.
The statement from Kula follows reports stemming from a meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Benue State, during which Governor Alia was purportedly criticized for allegedly mishandling the substantial funds provided to the state.
Kula criticized the meeting, stating that it failed to meet the necessary standards for such a significant party gathering. He further condemned the stakeholders for their purported involvement in spreading misinformation.
Highlighting the apology issued by Senate President Godswill Akpabio for similar allegations concerning fund disbursement to state governors, Kula reaffirmed Governor Alia’s unwavering commitment to transparency regarding the administration’s finances.
Additionally, Kula criticized the stakeholders for allegedly prioritizing party politics over governance, accusing them of attempting to hinder sitting governors to pave the way for new aspirants.
The Governor’s aide urged the public to disregard the baseless accusations and instead support the governor’s efforts in driving the state’s development agenda forward.
Kula also emphasized the importance of focusing on governance rather than partisan interests, reiterating the administration’s commitment to serving the needs of the people of Benue State.
The statement read: “It is worrisome that this group of stakeholders have stood in the way of Benue progress for a long time, preferring party politics to governance such that once elections are over, they would distract the winners until they are frustrated to leave the party and pave way for them to start feasting on new aspirants.
“To them, you are good only when you are contesting elections. “It was this same group that saw Gov. Alia as the only messiah to give them victory in the 2023 with the majority of them clinging on to the Alia effect and popularity to win their elections,” the statement reads.
“Despite these series of distractions and unfounded allegations, the Alia administration has a pact, first with the Benue masses who happily voted him to power and the administration is doing its best to fulfill the yearnings of the people who are daily, passing a vote of confidence in the governor and his government.
“Past governors who served the interest of stakeholders in Benue only left the state highly impoverished and starved of basic developments,” Kula stated further
In a related development, the Benue State Government has provided clarification regarding its decision to impose a ban on political gatherings and meetings within the state. The measure, according to the government, was necessitated by the prevailing insecurity situation in the state.
The ban, which encompasses all forms of intra-party and inter-group meetings in the Northcentral state, will remain in effect “till further notice.”
Paul Biam, the Chief of Staff to the governor, emphasized that the ban was put in place due to the volatile security conditions in Benue. He cited the alarming escalation of security threats, particularly attributed to the unprecedented influx of armed herdsmen into the state.
Biam highlighted the need for strict enforcement of the ban and urged the state Commissioner of Police to ensure compliance with the directive.
