By Donald Kumun
In the face of glaring progress and unprecedented transformation under the leadership of the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, it is disheartening and utterly reprehensible that a group of misguided individuals, driven by ill-willed sponsors and enemies of progress, recently staged a protest to the National Assembly.
Sadly and actually annoying, they demanded federal intervention while calling for an unconstitutional takeover of the Benue State House of Assembly. This act, orchestrated by reckless detractors with no stake in the growth or peace of Benue State, deserves nothing but outright condemnation.
Let it be clearly stated that the protest was not only baseless but also a direct assault on democracy, good governance, good conscience, and the collective will of the Benue people, who overwhelmingly voted for Governor Alia to lead them out of years of decay and retrogression. This plot is as dangerous as it is desperate. It is not born out of patriotism or public interest but rooted in bitterness, envy, and the fear of becoming irrelevant in a new Benue that is gradually emerging—freed from the shackles of corruption, infrastructural collapse, and institutional decay.
The protesters, under the guise of Defenders of Democracy, have revealed themselves to be pawns in the hands of political actors and self-serving godfathers who have lost grip on the political power they once wielded recklessly. These enemies of progress are now resorting to unorthodox and unconstitutional tactics in a desperate attempt to destabilize a working administration. They can best be described as undesirable elements.
They have failed to present any logical or legal justification for their demand. There is no constitutional crisis in Benue State. The State House of Assembly is functional, the Executive arm is delivering, and the Judiciary remains independent. The call for a takeover by the National Assembly is not only unconscienable but an insult to the intelligence of the Benue people and a dangerous precedent that must not be allowed to stand.
According to a famous Human Rights activist, in Nigeria, Femi Falana SAN, the National Assembly, lack the powers to order a State Governor or Speaker of a State House of Assembly, to appear before them.”They do not have such powers. There is no law that grants them such powers, and they cannot hide under Section 82, which only allows them to issue summons when they are amending laws or investigating money they have appropriated. So, how does a governor fit into this?”, he said.
He posited that; “Their powers are not unlimited. They cannot summon a governor because the governor accounts for appropriated funds in the House of Assembly of his state. They simply cannot do this. We have taken this matter to court and obtained an order against them in the case of Sterling Bank versus the Senate. You can only summon a public official if you are investigating fraud related to money they have appropriated or if you are in the process of making a new law. Therefore, there is no general authority to summon anyone”.
The sponsors of the protest must be reminded that, Governor Alia has shown uncommon commitment, clarity of vision, and discipline in executing his mandate. He inherited a state riddled with infrastructural decay even in critical government facilities like the state secretariat, accumulated civil service wage bill, a near comatose education sector as evidenced in the strike by the lecturers of the Benue State University, Makurdi, and a disoriented workforce. Rather than lament or make excuses, the Governor rolled up his sleeves, and immediately began the business of rebuilding in which all the issues were resolved within a record time.
Sight must not be lost of pro-active human capacity development efforts and workshops which are now the order of the day. The morale of workers is high, and service delivery has improved drastically all over the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
One of the hallmarks of the Alia’s administration is the massive infrastructure revolution, sweeping through the state. Under his leadership, road projects have been embarked upon across the length and breadth of the state, completed and ongoing, rural communities are being opened up with motorable roads, and urban renewal is taking place in the major towns and semi-urban areas.
The reconstruction of Makurdi-Otukpo Road, the dualization of major routes in the state capital, the installation of solar-powered street lights, and the construction of rural access roads have significantly improved mobility, safety, and economic activity. Hospitals and other public buildings are undergoing renovations, signaling a new era of infrastructural rejuvenation.
Governor Alia understands that education is the bedrock of any progressive society. His administration has not only resumed the payment of counterpart funds to access Universal Basic Education (UBE) grants, but has also embarked on the reconstruction and equipping of dilapidated schools across the state. Thousands of desks, chairs, textbooks, and learning materials have been distributed to public schools.
He has also prioritized the welfare of teachers by clearing salary arrears and introducing a performance-based monitoring system to ensure quality teaching. These interventions are reviving public confidence in the education sector, and school enrollment is on the rise across local government areas.
Benue State, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” had in recent years lost its agricultural glory due to insecurity, poor funding, and policy inconsistency. But today, the narrative is changing. Through targeted interventions by the Alia administration, agriculture is experiencing a revival.
Subsidized fertilizers and farm inputs are now accessible to real farmers. The government is revamping moribund agricultural facilities, including tractor hiring units and produce storage facilities. Mechanization is being prioritized, and youths are being mobilized through cooperatives and training programs. Partnerships with international bodies and private investors are further positioning Benue as a hub for agribusiness in Nigeria.
The Alia administration has proven that integrity is not a cliché but a governing principle. By putting an end to frivolous spending, have been eliminated now. Monthly allocations are now transparently utilized, and the civil service is undergoing digital reforms to eliminate ghost workers and ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions.
Under the reverend gentleman, an accounting system and stricter financial controls have blocked leakages and enhanced the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state. These measures have upset the corrupt cartel who once milked the state dry, and it is no surprise that they are, by their actions, inaction, conspiracy of silence, effectively adjudged as sponsors of the agitation against the State Government.
Returning to those sponsoring these acts of sabotage, be warned: history is watching. The people of Benue will not forget those who stood against their liberation. Good enough, the National Assembly is not a place for frivolities. The institution needs not entertain or give credence to these agents of regression who, having failed to capture the soul of Benue state, are now vainly plotting to introduce a state into some inglorious macabre dance through blackmail and deceit.
This is not just an attack on the Governor Alia administration; it is an attack on the collective progress of the Benue people. It is a deliberate effort to distract a focused government and plunge the state back into the abyss of confusion and misgovernance.
The sponsors must desist or face the judgment of the people whose patience is not inexhaustible. Democracy must be defended, not manipulated. The constitution must be upheld, not twisted to favor a disgruntled minority.
The good people of Benue State must not be swayed by the antics of these detractors. Their aim is to destabilize the state and reverse the gains already made. But we must resist them with every sense of responsibility and unity.
A call is hereby made on all citizens of Benue State, and beyond, to continue supporting the administration of Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whose divine mandate, is anchored on progress, and not retrogression. Let us remain vigilant, prayerful, and united in our resolve to defend our democracy, and build a greater Benue. Let us not be distracted by noise from elements whose only contribution to our history is suffering, looting, and political oppression. So, help us God, Amen!
Donald Kumun, is the Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Print Media, and writes from Makurdi, the Benue State Capital.
