Benue: Waya’s petition to Pope Leo is a political lamentation, not evidence — Alia

The Benue State Government has dismissed as baseless and politically motivated a petition written by the 2023 APGA governorship candidate, Mr. Joseph Waya, against Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The petition, addressed to Pope Leo XIV, alleged misconduct by the governor and accused him of poor performance in office.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, described the petition as “a bundle of bitterness, riddled with unverified gossip and devoid of evidence.”

According to him, Waya relied on online blogs instead of official documents such as Auditor-General’s reports, budget performance records, or anti-graft agencies like the EFCC to substantiate his allegations.

Kula noted that Governor Alia has, within two years in office, executed several people-oriented projects across Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo and other local government areas, many of which have been completed and commissioned.

“Road projects are ongoing across the state, salaries and pensions are paid regularly, hospitals are being rehabilitated, schools are being renovated, and teachers’ welfare is being prioritized,” Kula said.

He added that the administration has also attracted global partnerships with organizations like UNIDO, GIZ, and AFC to industrialize the state and build a climate-smart economy.

The government spokesperson faulted Waya’s claim that the administration dismantled the state’s anti-open grazing law, insisting the legislation is still in place and being enforced. He also dismissed insinuations of a rift between the governor and the Catholic Church, saying no bishop or Vatican authority has issued such a position.

On Waya’s allegation that the slogan “No Alia, No Benue” was violent, Kula said it was simply a political chant symbolizing grassroots support and not a militia movement.

He further criticized Waya for what he called an attempt to drag the Catholic Church into partisan politics, describing it as “desperation of the highest order.”

Kula urged the public to disregard the petition, which he said was the handiwork of a politician still nursing wounds from his electoral defeat.