FINANCIAL RECKLESSNESS AND GOVERNANCE ATROCITIES UNDER THE ALIA ADMINISTRATION

…..Governor Running Benue Like a Private Estate – NTG

The Network for Transparent Governance (NTG) has reviewed with profound concern the weighty allegations of gross misconduct contained in the impeachment notice reportedly initiated by the Benue State House of Assembly against Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia last year.

The allegations paint a troubling picture of an administration accused of abandoning due process, violating constitutional provisions, undermining democratic institutions, weakening local government administration, tolerating political intimidation, and turning public procurement into a system marked by secrecy, impunity, and reckless expenditure.

Of particular concern is the extensive list of contracts allegedly awarded without State Executive Council approval, public advertisement, competitive bidding, budgetary provision, or adherence to established procurement procedures. Even more disturbing are claims that Certificates of No Objection were backdated to legitimize contracts after their execution.

These are not mere administrative oversights. They strike at the very foundations of accountability, transparency, and responsible governance.

From multibillion-naira vehicle procurements to road construction projects, solar streetlight installations, official portraits, calendars, diaries, government residences, and other expenditures running into hundreds of billions of naira, the allegations suggest a government operating outside the safeguards of law and public trust.

Among the contracts highlighted in the notice are the N73 billion Mbawar Secondary School–Bako–Negher–Tyam–Naa–Adikpo/Calabar Road project with a spur to Mede–Mbara–Mbaakon; the N68.3 billion Wurukum–Air Force Base Road reconstruction project; the N29.89 billion Okokolo–Agagbe Road project; the N25.59 billion Awajir–Oju Road project; the N19.72 billion Obarike Ito–Adum East–Oju Road project; the N19.37 billion Igumale–Agila Road project; and the N15.71 billion rehabilitation of sixteen roads within Makurdi Township.

Together, these projects represent several hundreds of billions of naira in public expenditure allegedly undertaken outside established legal and procurement frameworks.

The impeachment notice also references a N9.2 billion contract for the rehabilitation of sixteen roads within Makurdi Metropolis; a N6.97 billion Gyado Junction Interchange project in Gboko; a N6.87 billion High-Level Junction Interchange project in Makurdi; a N6.52 billion contract covering Captain Dawns Road, NKST Anzwar Road, Tsar Adi Road, and Tom Ahar/Tom Atar Road; as well as a N5.29 billion solar streetlight and CCTV installation project within Makurdi Metropolis.

These are major infrastructure projects that ordinarily should be subjected to the highest standards of transparency, competitive procurement, and public scrutiny.

Equally troubling are allegations involving substantial expenditures on official vehicles and government comforts at a time when many communities across Benue State were battling insecurity, displacement, and economic hardship.

According to the notice, the administration spent N7.18 billion on vehicles for the Governor’s convoy, political appointees, and lawmakers; N8.6 billion on assorted vehicles and motorcycles for government use; N5.34 billion on Toyota Hilux and Prado vehicles; N819 million on nine vehicles for top government officials; and more than N204 million on a single Toyota Land Cruiser SUV equipped with military-grade security features.

The notice further references N2.72 billion for the renovation of government lodges, N974 million for the renovation and furnishing of the Benue State Secretariat, over N1.04 billion for the purchase of 18,000 bags of rice, N115 million for the production of 3,000 official portraits of the Governor, and tens of millions of naira spent on calendars, diaries, almanacs, and other promotional materials.

At a time when many Benue citizens are grappling with poverty, displacement, and inadequate access to basic services, such expenditures demand full explanation and accountability.

What makes these allegations particularly alarming is not merely the size of the contracts involved but the recurring claims that they were awarded without advertisement, competitive bidding, State Executive Council approval, or budgetary backing, while procurement documentation was allegedly manipulated after the fact.

These allegations raise fundamental questions about adherence to the rule of law, prudent management of public resources, and respect for constitutional governance.

We are equally alarmed by allegations that Governor Alia failed or refused to assent to the 2025 Appropriation Law while continuing to authorize public expenditure. If true, such actions would represent a direct challenge to constitutional budgeting processes and legislative authority. No government should spend public funds without a lawful appropriation framework.

The allegations relating to insecurity are even more disturbing. The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Yet many Benue communities continue to experience killings, displacement, and violent attacks while the state remains burdened by multiple internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

The continued existence of these camps serves as a painful reminder of the state’s security challenges and the urgent need for more effective responses.

We also condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the use or tolerance of groups promoting divisive slogans such as “No Alia, No Benue.” Benue State existed before Governor Alia and will continue to exist long after any individual leaves office. No public official is greater than the state or its people.

Furthermore, we are concerned by allegations of interference with local government autonomy, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment affirming the financial independence of local governments. The 23 local government councils in Benue State must not be reduced to instruments of political control or financial exploitation.

These allegations are far too serious to be dismissed through propaganda, personal attacks, or political diversion. They require thorough legislative scrutiny, public disclosure of all relevant documents, and full accountability to the people of Benue State.

We therefore call on the Benue State House of Assembly to rise above partisan considerations and discharge its constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour.

We also urge anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, religious leaders, youth groups, women organizations, and all well-meaning citizens to demand transparency and accountability from the Alia administration.

Benue State cannot continue on a path characterized by secrecy, intimidation, lawlessness, and alleged abuse of public trust. Public office is a sacred responsibility, not a licence for impunity.

The time has come for Governor Hyacinth Alia to provide clear answers to the serious allegations before the people of Benue State.

Signed:

Dennis Agema

President, Network for Transparent Governance (NTG)

Oliver Omenka

Secretary-General, NTG