Six governorship aspirants from Benue State’s Kunav bloc in Vandeikya Local Government Area have announced plans to resist Governor Hyacinth Alia’s re-election bid in 2027, citing poor governance and escalating insecurity.
The group made the announcement during a joint press briefing held over the weekend in Makurdi.
The event was themed “Benue at 50: Reflection, Responsibility and the Future We Must Reclaim.”
Speaking to newsmen, the aspirants — Professor Dennis Ityavyar, Hon. Joseph Waya, Professor Paul Angya, Professor Terhemba Shija, Rt. Hon. Dominic Terkaa Ucha and ESV Godwin Ityoachimin — argued that despite substantial financial inflows and the powers vested in the state government, Benue has continued to drift as it marks its 50th anniversary.
They argued that the state’s ₦20.43 billion internally generated revenue in 2024 and over ₦400 billion from FAAC don’t reflect in public services, with many MDAs poorly funded and lacking transparency.
The aspirants highlighted rising insecurity, referencing a recent attack on Abande community market that killed 17 people.
Meanwhile, governor Alia’s spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, has dismissed the claims as politically driven, citing reforms in public finance, security, and infrastructure.
He said the government has blocked revenue leakages, eliminated payroll in fraud, and invested in agro-industrial development, education, and community security.
