PDP tears Gov Alia apart for running Benue like Catholic Church parish

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State are engaged in a war of words over the state’s governance, following a statement from the PDP accusing Governor Hyacinth Alia of running the state like a Catholic Church parish.

In a statement released by PDP State Publicity Secretary Tim Nyor at the conclusion of its State Working Committee meeting in Makurdi, the party alleged that the Alia-led administration was undermining democratic values and failing to uphold transparency and accountability.

The PDP claimed that under Governor Alia, the state was being governed in a manner that resembled the operations of a Catholic parish rather than a democratic government. The party expressed concern over the governor’s disregard for the core principles of governance, such as accountability, transparency, rule of law, and inclusivity.

“The Alia administration has persistently ignored the people’s needs and operated in secrecy, excluding them from crucial decision-making processes. Meanwhile, the state continues to face critical challenges like infrastructure decay, inadequate services, and a growing erosion of public trust,” the statement read.

The PDP also criticized the governor for prioritizing projects like new government houses, new universities, and stalled works on the Makurdi and Gboko underpasses, while neglecting the urgent issues facing the state. The party demanded that the governor fulfill his campaign promises, including clearing the backlog of salaries, pensions, and gratuities for state workers.

“We are puzzled by the delay in addressing these issues, especially when the state is receiving record allocations from the Federation Allocation Account Committee, as confirmed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the PDP said. “Some Benue workers have even resorted to strike action due to the governor’s failure to meet their basic needs.”

The party also expressed disappointment that, nearly two years into Alia’s tenure, no displaced person had been resettled to their farmland, as promised during his campaign.

Furthermore, the PDP lamented the worsening security situation in the state, pointing out the governor’s silence amid the escalating violence. “Never in the history of Benue has security deteriorated to this extent, yet the governor has not taken any substantial measures to address the killings,” the statement added.

The PDP also criticized the governor for his treatment of other arms of government, particularly the Benue State House of Assembly (BSHOA), which is reportedly now housed in makeshift facilities with plastic chairs. “The legislature has become a mere shadow of itself, largely ignored by the governor, and the Assembly Complex remains abandoned,” the PDP stated.

In response, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, Tersoo Kula, dismissed the PDP’s allegations as misguided and lacking substance. Kula emphasized that the PDP’s claims were inaccurate and lacked factual backing, asserting that the current administration was committed to addressing the state’s challenges and improving governance.

The PDP, however, reiterated its commitment to advocating for a government that prioritizes the welfare of the people and upholds the principles of democracy. The party vowed to continue holding the Alia administration accountable and called for a renewed focus on good governance, transparency, and public engagement.

“We remain united in our resolve to ensure that Benue’s democracy is strengthened, and that the needs and voices of our citizens are prioritized,” the PDP concluded.