Group accuses Alia of misleading Tinubu, Nigerians over Benue achievements

The Coalition for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has accused Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia of making false claims about his administration’s achievements during a recent presentation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In a statement signed by its President, Jerome Zoho, the group alleged that Governor Alia misrepresented the state of infrastructure, security, agriculture and governance in Benue while briefing President Bola Tinubu.

The coalition described the governor’s claim that his administration had completed over 500 kilometres of roads in three years as “false” and “misleading,” insisting that many roads across the state remain in poor condition.

It also faulted the governor for claiming credit for the Lucy Zaiyol Alluor Community ICT Centre in Vandeikya, alleging that the project was executed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative, and not by the Benue State Government.

The group further criticised Alia’s remarks on security, describing as inaccurate his claim that insecurity had been defeated in the state.

According to the statement, many communities remain under attack, while thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have yet to return to their ancestral homes.

The coalition also challenged the governor’s assertion that all displaced persons had been resettled and were benefiting from state-established farms, alleging that many IDPs still depend on humanitarian assistance for survival.

It further questioned claims of widespread fertiliser distribution and agricultural revival, arguing that insecurity has continued to prevent many farmers from accessing their farmlands.

The CTJ also dismissed the governor’s claim that commercial motorcyclists had received grants from the state government, alleging that beneficiaries could not be identified.

The group equally accused the administration of lacking transparency in the management of public funds, alleging that local governments had not enjoyed genuine financial autonomy despite the governor’s claims.

It further alleged that workers and pensioners were yet to receive all outstanding entitlements, pointing to ongoing industrial actions in some state-owned tertiary institutions as evidence that welfare issues remained unresolved.

The coalition urged Governor Alia to focus on addressing insecurity, infrastructure deficits, unemployment and public sector challenges rather than what it described as image laundering.

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

The group maintained that no amount of propaganda could conceal the realities facing residents of the state.