Governor Alia’s Shameful Parade of Lies at Aso Rock — CTJ

The Coalition for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has accused Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia of misleading Nigerians during his recent appearance at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, describing his presentation as “one of the most embarrassing displays of political deception” by a sitting governor.

In a statement signed by its President, Jerome Zoho, the group alleged that Governor Alia relied on “falsehoods, half-truths, exaggerations and propaganda” in an attempt to portray his administration as successful despite what it described as glaring governance failures.

The coalition dismissed the governor’s claim that his administration had constructed and commissioned more than 500 kilometres of roads within three years, describing the assertion as “a monumental falsehood.”

According to the statement, residents of Benue State continue to contend with deteriorating roads and abandoned projects, insisting that the governor’s claim bears no resemblance to realities on the ground.

CTJ also faulted Governor Alia for allegedly taking credit for the Lucy Zaiyol Alluor Community ICT Centre in Vandeikya, maintaining that the project was established by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative, and not by the Benue State Government.

“It takes a special level of desperation for a governor to claim ownership of projects executed by federal agencies simply because he has run out of achievements to showcase,” the statement said.

The group further criticised the governor’s handling of security issues, alleging that while he publicly mourned the killing of a Miyetti Allah leader in the state, he failed to publicly acknowledge the deaths of a former Secretary to the Benue State Government and Professor Gabriel Nyityo, a History lecturer at the Benue State University, Makurdi.

It argued that such actions reflected what it described as selective compassion and unequal concern for victims of violence.

The coalition also rejected Governor Alia’s assertion that insecurity had been defeated in Benue State, describing the claim as insensitive to grieving families, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and communities allegedly displaced by armed attacks.

According to CTJ, the governor’s claim that all IDPs had returned to their ancestral homes was equally misleading, insisting that thousands of displaced persons remain unable to return because insecurity persists in many affected communities.

The statement also challenged the governor’s claim that his administration had established farms for all IDPs, resulting in bumper harvests, describing the assertion as “one of the most cynical fabrications” contained in his presentation.

It maintained that many displaced persons continue to depend largely on humanitarian assistance, contrary to the picture painted by the governor.

On agriculture, the coalition dismissed claims of widespread fertiliser distribution and improved farming activities, arguing that many farmers still face insecurity, poor infrastructure and limited government support, while vast areas of fertile farmland remain inaccessible due to persistent attacks.

The group also questioned Governor Alia’s claim that commercial motorcyclists had benefited from government grants, alleging that many operators across the state remain unaware of any such intervention.

CTJ further accused the administration of lacking transparency and accountability, alleging that Benue residents have little information about the management of public resources despite substantial allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), internally generated revenue and other sources.

It also alleged that accusations of contract inflation, financial mismanagement and diversion of public funds continue to trail the administration.

The coalition equally dismissed the governor’s claim that financial autonomy had been granted to local government councils, arguing that the state’s 23 local government areas remain under tight financial control and lack the resources to execute meaningful development projects.

It further alleged that contract awards under the administration are characterised by secrecy, lack of due process and preferential treatment for political associates.

On workers’ welfare, CTJ disputed Governor Alia’s claim that salary and pension arrears had been cleared, pointing to ongoing industrial actions by academic and non-academic staff of state-owned tertiary institutions as evidence that welfare concerns remain unresolved.

The coalition concluded that Governor Alia’s administration had become “addicted to propaganda” while governance continued to suffer.

“Benue people do not need rehearsed speeches at Aso Rock. They need security, functioning institutions, quality roads, jobs, schools, hospitals and accountable leadership. Above all, they deserve a governor who tells them the truth,” the statement read.

The group maintained that the governor’s presentation at the Presidential Villa amounted to “a carnival of lies” aimed at portraying failure as success.

It added that no amount of propaganda could erase the realities experienced daily by the people of Benue State.