Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia
A coalition of governorship aspirants from Kunav community in Vandeikya Local Government Area has called for the replacement of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election, despite the governor’s insistence that he still has six years to complete his tenure.
The group, drawn from different political parties, includes Professors Dennis Ityavyar and Paul Angya, alongside Mr. Joseph Ways, Mr. Godwin Tyoachimin and Dominic Acha.
They resolved that Governor Alia should be succeeded by another indigene of Kunav community when his tenure expires.
Speaking to journalists in Makurdi, the group’s spokesperson, Professor Paul Angya, said the Jechira zone is entitled to only eight years in office, which he noted would end in 2027.
He explained that another Jechira man, preferably from Kunav, should take over to complete the zonal tenure.
According to him, “all the geopolitical zones did eight years and Jechira too has to do eight years,” adding that any member of the group could emerge as the next governor.
The aspirants, who addressed the press under the theme: “ _Benue at Fifty: Reflection, Responsibility and the Future We Must Claim,”_ also reviewed the performances of past administrations in the state.
Professor Angya disclosed that in 2024, Benue generated N20.43 billion internally and received over N400 billion from federal allocation, but lamented that “salaries remain irregular, ministries operate below capacity, overheads go unpaid, infrastructure decays, public accounts lack transparency and no coherent development plan.”
They further criticised the absence of key development policies in the state, stating that “Benue State currently operates without a documented economic blueprint, an agro-industrial value-chain plan, a private sector engagement framework, a public sector reform agenda and security master plan consistent with constitutional obligations.”
On insecurity, the aspirants expressed concern over recurring violent attacks, noting that they “have continued to claim innocent lives.”
They cited the recent assault on Abande community in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area, where “at least 17 deaths including a Mobile police officer were recorded, dozens were injured, homes, stalls and properties burnt, families displaced and livelihood destroyed.”
The group also drew attention to the humanitarian situation in the state, observing that Benue hosts one of the largest populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
They said many of the displaced people live without adequate shelter, food, medical care and protection.
Clarifying their position, the aspirants stated that “their intention was not to attack personalities but to defend constitutional values and the future of the state,” stressing that Benue deserves “security, transparency, peace, economic transformation, respect for constitutional rights and leadership that unites, not divides.”
They called on the Federal Government, security agencies, humanitarian organisations and the international community to step up support for Benue, especially for displaced persons and communities exposed to persistent attacks.
