Alia’s Second Term Aspirations Face Opposition from Kinsmen

Kinsmen of Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of Benue State, hailing from the Kunav bloc of Vandeikya Local Government Area, have announced their opposition to his bid for re-election in the upcoming 2027 governorship race. They cite poor governance and worsening insecurity as their main concerns.

During a joint press conference convened over the weekend in Makurdi, the group, which includes six gubernatorial aspirants from various political parties, expressed their intentions under the banner 'Benue at 50: Reflection, Responsibility and the Future We Must Reclaim.'

Speaking to the press, the aspirants—Professor Dennis Ityavyar, Hon. Joseph Waya, Professors Paul Angya and Terhemba Shija, Rt. Hon. Dominic Terkaa Ucha, and ESV Godwin Ityoachimin—asserted that despite significant financial support, Benue seems to be falling behind as it marks its 50th anniversary.

They pointed to ongoing violence against communities, inconsistent salary payments, dilapidated infrastructure, and inadequate institutional capacities as signs of failed leadership. The aspirants highlighted that Benue generated approximately N20.43 billion in internally generated revenue in 2024, equating to around 0.56% of total subnational revenue, a figure they deemed insufficient given the state’s agricultural potential.

Additionally, the aspirants noted that while the state received over N400 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) during the same timeframe, numerous ministries and agencies remain underfunded, and public financial transparency is lacking.

Concerns were also raised about increasing insecurity, with a specific mention of an attack on the Abande community market in Mbaikyor ward of Kwande Local Government Area, which reportedly resulted in at least 17 fatalities, including a mobile police officer.

They emphasized that persistent attacks in local government areas including Guma, Logo, Ukum, Apa, Makurdi, and Kwande, coupled with a growing number of internally displaced persons, highlight the urgent need for more effective and inclusive leadership.

In response, Tersoo Kula, the spokesman for Governor Alia, characterized the press conference as politically driven, misleading, and malicious. He maintained that Governor Alia's administration has made strides in public finance management, civil service efficiency, security coordination, and infrastructure development.

Kula stated that the government has taken measures to stop revenue leakages, deal with payroll fraud, revive neglected projects, and invest in agro- industrial projects, education, and community security measures. He called on critics to engage constructively, rather than use insecurity and humanitarian issues as political tools.