Drama as Alia, Lawmaker clash over seized palliatives for Benue IDPs

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and House of Representatives member Terseer Ugbor are clashing over the recent seizure of palliatives meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kwande.

Governor Alia explained that the palliatives were confiscated after they were found being offloaded at a private residence in Makurdi instead of being delivered directly to Kwande Local Government Area, where they were originally intended.

The palliatives, facilitated by Ugbor’s office and approved by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), were intercepted by state officials on September 11, 2024, and subsequently moved to the Government House in Makurdi.

Ugbor has threatened legal action if the palliatives are not returned, accusing the governor of obstructing aid meant for vulnerable individuals in Kwande/Ushongo.

However, Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, clarified that the seizure was to ensure transparency and proper distribution of the aid. The governor stressed that all aid must go through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and questioned why the materials were being offloaded at a private residence rather than being sent directly to Kwande.

Ugbor, frustrated by the situation, defended the decision to use Makurdi as a temporary storage site due to the lack of a warehouse in Kwande. He warned of potential legal action if the palliatives are not released by September 17, citing ongoing costs related to the truck’s detention. The seized palliatives included essential supplies like rice, garri, mattresses, and mosquito nets.