…Alia running Benue like Church Parish – PDP

…You lack understanding of democratic principles – Alia fires back

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State have locked horns over governance in the state.

The PDP accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of managing the state like a church parish, while the governor’s camp dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated.

In a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, the PDP criticized the Alia-led administration for undermining democratic principles, including transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness.

“It has become increasingly apparent that the Alia administration operates more like a Catholic parish than a democratic government,” the PDP stated.

The party listed alleged failures of the administration, including:

Neglect of critical infrastructure.

Unaddressed issues such as salaries, pensions, and gratuities despite increased federal allocations.

Lack of action on resettling displaced persons.

Poor handling of security and legislative affairs.

The PDP also accused the governor of prioritizing “white elephant projects” over pressing needs like workers’ welfare and public safety. They demanded immediate action to rectify these failings.

In a swift rebuttal, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, described the PDP’s claims as “grossly misguided” and “devoid of substance.”

“For starters, the PDP in Benue State under its current leadership lacks a clear understanding of democracy,” Kula said.

The governor’s camp highlighted achievements under Alia’s administration, including:

Timely and subsidized fertilizer distribution to farmers.

Benue’s improvement from 36th to 9th in the fiscal transparency rankings for 2024.

Significant infrastructure projects, including road construction and drainage systems.

Payment of four months’ salary arrears, with plans to clear more in 2024.

Alia’s administration also emphasized its commitment to resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs) and maintaining relative peace in the state, contrasting it with what they described as the “chaotic” PDP era.

Both parties remain firm in their positions, with the PDP insisting on holding the administration accountable and the governor’s team pointing to ongoing developmental strides. The political battle underscores deep divisions over the direction of governance in Benue State.