A Human Rights lawyer and advocate, Agena Ande, has accused the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, of misappropriating a whopping ₦400 billion within two years, alleging that there is little or no commensurate infrastructure to justify the expenditure.
Ande, a vocal advocate of good governance in Nigeria, called on the governor to render a full account of how the funds said to have accrued from federal allocations and other revenue sources were expended, insisting that such accountability is a fundamental obligation owed to the people who elected the administration in 2023.
He argued that, if properly managed, the resources could have been deployed to execute meaningful infrastructural projects across the 23 local government areas of the state, thereby improving the living conditions of residents.
In an open letter addressed to Governor Alia, the lawyer accused the administration of failing to deliver basic infrastructure, improve security, or adequately cater for internally displaced persons (IDPs), despite what he described as substantial inflows from federal allocations, security votes, intervention funds and internally generated revenue.
The letter, titled “Mr Governor, Where Is The Benue Money? Two Years, ₦400 Billion, And Nothing To Show,” alleged that the state received over ₦300 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), in addition to billions of naira in monthly security votes, more than ₦30 billion in fuel subsidy palliatives, donor and intervention funds, as well as internally generated revenue from taxes and other sources.
According to Ande, the cumulative receipts amount to a conservative estimate of over ₦400 billion within a 24-month period.
“I write not as a politician, but as a Nigerian who believes that government exists to serve the people. I write with pain because Benue is bleeding, and the numbers do not lie,” he stated.
The lawyer further alleged that despite the huge inflows, the state could not boast of constructing up to 100 kilometres of new roads, noting that several major road corridors remain in deplorable condition.
He cited the Makurdi–Naka and Gboko–Katsina-Ala roads as largely impassable, adding that the poor state of rural roads continues to hinder the movement of agricultural produce to markets.
Ande also criticised the prevailing security situation, claiming that attacks have persisted in communities across Guma, Logo, Kwande, Apa and Agatu local government areas despite significant security spending by the state.
He alleged that over two million displaced residents remain in camps without adequate resettlement, while teachers, healthcare workers and pensioners are still owed salaries and entitlements.
The human rights advocate further accused the administration of prioritising publicity over tangible achievements.
“A government that receives ₦400 billion in two years and cannot deliver 100km of roads has failed the basic test of leadership,” he said.
“A governor who is quick on television and slow on projects is not leading; he is managing perception.”
Ande demanded that the Benue State Government publish a detailed account of all revenues received since May 2023 and provide a comprehensive breakdown of how the funds were utilised.
He also urged the administration to prioritise the completion of infrastructure projects, strengthen community-based security frameworks, resettle internally displaced persons and clear outstanding salaries and pensions.
“History will not remember your grammar. History will remember your roads. History will not remember your press conferences. History will remember if Benue children slept in peace,” the letter added
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