Alia: I’m not diverting LG funds

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State firmly denied claims that his administration has been stealing money from the 23 local government councils in the state. Alia's administration, as reported by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, is actively investing money into these councils to support their development. During a press conference at Government House in Makurdi, Alia refuted the allegations made by former governor Samuel Ortom and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa.

These accusers accused Alia of taking control of local government funds. Alia made it clear that local government councils remain independent and are actively implementing projects throughout the state with the support of the state government. The governor elaborated that the state and councils work together on various development projects, with the councils contributing 40 percent of the funds and the state government providing 60 percent.

He cited successful projects such as Oju-Konsisha, Apa-Agatu-Gwer West, Igumale-Agila, Mbagwaza-Ushongo, Sankera-Chito-Vaase, and Adikpo-Koti-Vandeikya-Tseenkpe roads as proof of their collaboration. Alia also mentioned healthcare and social infrastructure improvements as evidence of this joint effort. He emphasized that the local government secretariat road in Gbajimba, Orton's hometown, is undergoing renovations, with N4 billion allocated for the project.

The governor stressed that Alia is not embezzling local government funds; instead, he is investing in them. He urged the public to challenge him on other matters but not on his performance as a governor. However, Alia dismissed the political alliance between Ortom and Aondoakaa as a "poison" that could harm the state, claiming that Ortom was trying to bring Aondoakaa into the governorship race through "backdoor" tactics.