A Nigerian advocate for good governance, Agena Ande, has launched a blistering attack on Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, demanding a comprehensive public account of what he described as over ₦400 billion allegedly received by the state within the governor’s first two years in office.
In an open letter released on Sunday, Ande accused the Alia administration of presiding over what he called one of the most disappointing records of governance in the state’s recent history, alleging that enormous public funds have failed to translate into visible development, improved security or better living conditions for the people.
The letter, titled “Mr Governor, Where Is The Benue Money? Two Years, ₦400 Billion, And Nothing To Show,” alleged that Benue received more than ₦300 billion through Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, billions of naira in monthly security votes, over ₦30 billion in fuel subsidy palliative funds, donor interventions and internally generated revenue from taxes and other sources.
According to Ande, the combined inflows amount to a conservative estimate of more than ₦400 billion between May 2023 and May 2025.
“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 wrote.
The advocate alleged that despite the huge financial receipts, the Alia administration has failed to deliver critical infrastructure, insisting that the state cannot point to 100 kilometres of newly constructed roads after two years in office.
He described major highways, including the Makurdi–Naka and Gboko–Katsina-Ala roads, as remaining in deplorable condition, while rural communities continue to suffer from neglected road networks that have crippled farming, commerce and access to essential services.
Ande also questioned the impact of the state’s security spending, alleging that deadly attacks have continued across Guma, Logo, Kwande, Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas despite billions of naira reportedly allocated for security.
He further claimed that more than two million internally displaced persons remain in overcrowded camps without meaningful resettlement, while teachers, healthcare workers and pensioners continue to grapple with unpaid salaries, pensions and other outstanding entitlements.
The advocate accused the administration of focusing more on publicity than performance, arguing that media appearances cannot replace measurable achievements in governance.
“A government that receives ₦400 billion in two years and cannot deliver 100 kilometres 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.”
He challenged the Benue State Government to immediately publish a comprehensive breakdown of all revenues received since May 2023, including FAAC allocations, security votes, intervention funds, grants and internally generated revenue, as well as a transparent account of how every naira was spent.
According to him, only full financial disclosure can restore public confidence and demonstrate accountability to the people whose resources were entrusted to the government.
Ande also urged the administration to abandon what he described as governance by public relations and instead prioritise the completion of abandoned infrastructure projects, strengthen community-based security initiatives, resettle internally displaced persons and clear outstanding salary and pension obligations.
He warned that history would ultimately judge the administration not by speeches or political messaging but by the condition of the roads, the safety of communities and the quality of life of ordinary citizens.
“History will not remember your grammar. History will remember your roads. History will not remember your press conferences. History will remember whether Benue children slept in peace,” the letter concluded.
The Benue State Government had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the open letter as of the time of filing this report.