The Benue State Government has responded to allegations made by a group accusing the government of mismanaging 44 billion naira. Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, has categorically dismissed these claims as baseless falsehoods aimed at diverting attention from the governor’s developmental agenda for Benue State.

Kula’s statement comes in response to reports that emerged from a meeting of APC stakeholders in Benue State, where Governor Alia was supposedly criticised for allegedly mishandling the 44 billion naira allocated to the state. Kula criticised the meeting, stating that it failed to meet the standards required for a party gathering of such significance. He also condemned the stakeholders for their alleged role in spreading unfounded information.

Furthermore, Kula highlighted that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had already apologized for similar allegations regarding the disbursement of funds to state governors. He emphasized that Governor Alia has consistently maintained transparency in his administration’s financial affairs. Kula cited the prompt announcement and detailed expenditure account provided by the governor following the receipt of palliative funds as evidence of this transparency.

Kula also criticised the stakeholders for their alleged history of prioritising party politics over governance. He accused them of intentionally seeking to frustrate sitting governors in order to pave the way for new aspirants. The statement expressed concern over the stakeholders’ long-standing obstruction of progress in Benue State, highlighting their tendency to distract elected officials until they are compelled to leave their party, thus creating opportunities for the stakeholders to promote new candidates.

Despite these distractions, Kula assured the public that the Alia administration remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate and delivering on its promises to the people of Benue State. He urged the public to disregard the false allegations and instead lend their support to the governor’s efforts to develop the state.

“Despite these series of distractions and unfounded allegations, the Alia administration has a pact, first with the Benue masses who happily voted him to power, and the administration is doing its best to fulfill the yearnings of the people who are daily passing a vote of confidence in the governor and his government,” Kula stated. He also highlighted the detrimental impact previous governors had on the state, leaving it impoverished and devoid of basic development.