By Oscar Okhifo
The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has challenged Governor Hyacinth Alia to account for more than ₦1 trillion it claimed accrued to the state in federal allocations, internally generated revenue, loans and foreign grants since his administration came into office.
The opposition party also faulted the governor’s ongoing statewide thank-you tour, describing it as a political exercise that had failed to address the economic hardship, insecurity and infrastructure deficit confronting many residents.
In a statement on Sunday by its State Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, the PDP described the All Progressives Congress-led tour as an exercise in “political deception and self-glorification” and a “celebration of failure.”
The party questioned the purpose of the tour, arguing that the governor should instead use the opportunity to give Benue residents a comprehensive account of the state’s revenues and expenditure over the past three years.
“The painful question therefore remains: What exactly is Governor Alia thanking the people for?” Antyo asked.
“Is he thanking the farmers who can no longer safely access their farmlands because of insecurity? Is he thanking the displaced persons languishing in camps and host communities? Is he thanking the countless youths without jobs or the communities still waiting for basic amenities that should have been provided years ago?”
The PDP said government performance should be measured by its impact on the lives of citizens rather than political rallies, publicity and promises.
It said residents should be able to identify tangible improvements in their communities, including good roads, functional healthcare facilities, better schools, safer communities and opportunities for businesses and young people.
“Unfortunately, the Alia administration has perfected the art of publicity laced with lies and unending promises while neglecting the substance of governance,” Antyo said.
The opposition party said it was particularly concerned about what it described as a disconnect between the resources available to the state and the living conditions of its residents.
“Benue State under Alia has received over one trillion in federal allocations, internally generated revenue, loans and foreign grants in the past three years,” the party said.
“Yet, across the state, communities continue to grapple with impassable roads, collapsing healthcare facilities, abandoned projects, widespread unemployment and relentless attacks that have displaced thousands of people from their ancestral homes.”
The PDP therefore demanded a transparent account of the funds received and how they had been spent since Alia assumed office on May 29, 2023.
“The people demand a transparent account of how public funds have been utilised between May 29, 2023 and August 2026,” the party said.
“The people demand to be told why, despite unprecedented inflows from the Federation Account, many Benue communities are still abandoned and neglected.”
The party said the governor should have used the thank-you tour to present a detailed scorecard of his administration rather than turn the exercise into what it described as a political carnival.
“Rather than turning the APC Thank-You Tour into a travelling carnival of political praise-singing, Governor Alia should have used the opportunity to render a comprehensive account of his stewardship,” the PDP said.
“He should have told the people how much money has accrued to the state and local governments under his watch, what projects have been completed, how much was spent on each project and how those expenditures have improved the lives of the people.”
The party further demanded details of funds received by the state and local governments, as well as verifiable records showing how the money had been deployed.
It urged Benue residents to continue to demand accountability through peaceful and lawful means, stressing that citizens had the right to scrutinise public expenditure and demand transparency from elected officials.
The PDP’s criticism comes as Alia continues his statewide town hall meetings and thank-you tour, during which his administration has been highlighting infrastructure, healthcare, education, water and industrial projects executed or ongoing across the state.
The administration has highlighted road construction and rehabilitation, drainage projects, solar-powered boreholes, classroom blocks, rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres and efforts to revive industrial facilities as some of its achievements.
The governor’s supporters have also defended his record, pointing to ongoing projects and reforms across sectors as evidence of the administration’s efforts to improve the state.
The PDP’s latest intervention, however, shifts the focus from the governor’s project claims to the broader question of revenue, expenditure and measurable impact, challenging the administration to demonstrate how public resources received since 2023 have translated into improved living conditions for Benue residents.