The Benue State Government has declared that Governor Hyacinth Alia will go into the 2027 election relying on his record of infrastructure development, workers’ welfare and investment drive, rather than engaging in a war of words with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, who stated this in a blistering response to criticisms of the administration, said the PDP and its leaders would be unable to erase what he described as the visible transformation taking place across the state.
He particularly pointed to the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and Hudson Global Ltd for a proposed $5 billion investment, saying it underscored growing investor confidence in Benue under Alia.
According to him, the administration is more concerned with rebuilding the state through roads, industries, improved workers’ welfare, care for senior citizens and investments than responding to attacks from the opposition.
“Rather than engage in political distractions, Governor Hyacinth Alia has remained focused on governance,” Kula said.
“His administration has brought greater accountability and transparency to the management of the state, as evidenced by certifications and recognitions from reputable international audit firms. He has also restored Benue to creditworthy status and created a safer and more credible environment for investment.”
He added: “The growing confidence in Benue’s economic prospects is not accidental. Just a few days ago, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hudson Global Ltd to attract a $5 billion investment aimed at transforming Benue’s economic landscape.”
Kula said the administration’s road projects, regular payment of salaries and gratuities and establishment of the Food Basket Bakery were achievements that political attacks could not wish away.
He contrasted Alia’s record with that of former Governor Samuel Ortom, accusing the previous administration of leaving behind unpaid salaries and pensions, huge debts and a worsening internally displaced persons crisis.
“The difference is also visible in the everyday lives of the people. The construction of rural and urban roads, consistent payment of salaries and gratuities, and the establishment of the Food Basket Bakery are among the achievements that cannot be hidden by political propaganda,” he said.
He alleged that under the previous administration, Benue became known as the “IDP capital of Nigeria,” with more than 1.5 million people displaced.
The governor’s spokesman also challenged Ortom to account for his stewardship, alleging that workers were owed several months’ salaries while pensioners accumulated more than 70 months of unpaid entitlements.
Kula further raised questions over what he described as N735 billion received by the Ortom administration through bailouts, Paris Club refunds and other inflows, as well as debts allegedly left behind by the government.
“For a former governor who left behind a debt said to be over N300 billion and another N139 billion reportedly unaccounted for, as confirmed by a Commission of Inquiry, he has no moral justification to lecture others on accountability without first answering questions about his own stewardship,” he said.
Kula also took aim at former Attorney-General of the Federation and PDP governorship figure, Mike Aondoakaa, SAN, accusing his camp of attempting to rewrite the record of the previous administration.
He challenged Aondoakaa and the PDP to explain why local governments operated a joint account with the state during Ortom’s tenure despite the party’s current advocacy for council autonomy.
“Did Gov. Samuel Ortom and the PDP enforce Local Government Autonomy, which they now loudly clamour for? Why were local governments still operating a joint account with the state government under Governor Ortom?” he asked.
The CPS equally questioned Ortom’s political alignment ahead of 2027, accusing the former governor of simultaneously identifying with President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi.
“A politician who pitches his tent in two camps at once and calls it ‘statesmanship’ should not expect Nigerians to accept every political explanation offered in retrospect,” he said.
“He claimed to have supported Peter Obi after leading the factional G-5, and he still supports him today, while telling the world that he is behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Benue people are entitled to ask which of these positions represents his genuine political conviction.”
Kula also defended the Alia administration against criticism arising from Obi’s recent visit to Benue, insisting that humanitarian interventions in the state were coordinated through the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
He argued that the displacement crisis predated the current administration and challenged the opposition to explain why more than 1.5 million people were reportedly already displaced by 2021.
On allegations that Alia had been silent over the Ayilamo killings, Kula dismissed the charge as politically motivated, insisting that securing lives and property remained a priority of the administration.
“For the PDP, through Terver Akase, to accuse the governor of being silent on the Ayilamo killings is cheap, unfair and nothing more than an attempt by a sinking party to manufacture excuses for its impending defeat in 2027,” he said.
While acknowledging the place of opposition criticism in a democracy, Kula said political debate should be anchored on facts and competing records of performance rather than propaganda.
“Criticism and accountability are essential ingredients of democracy, but public discourse and political campaigns should be guided by facts, issues and a fair assessment of records,” he said.
He declared that the ultimate verdict would come from Benue voters in 2027, arguing that the governor’s development record would be the administration’s strongest campaign weapon.
“Ultimately, 2027 will not be decided by press statements, political theatrics or partisan spin. It will be decided by the people at the ballot box.
“On that day, the record of what has been achieved will speak louder than propaganda, because Benue has moved on from the agents of stagnation and is looking towards a future defined by development, investment and progress,” Kula said.
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