Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has rejected claims by the Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Hon. Azua Ashongo, that his administration has marginalized indigenes of Kwande Local Government Area.
Governor Alia described the allegation as baseless and politically motivated, emphasizing that his government continues to accommodate and empower people from Kwande, with no fewer than 24 natives currently holding key positions in his administration.
In a statement released yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor said that while he welcomes constructive criticism, he will not yield to what he termed “concocted grievances that lack depth, substance, and amount to mere politics of slander.”
Ashongo, who is from Kwande, had recently accused the governor of various wrongdoings, including allegedly removing his kinsmen from government positions.
Reacting, the CPS, in a statement titled “Setting the record straight on Governor Alia and Kwande”, said, “The recent comment credited to Hon. Azua Ashongo titled ‘Alia’s Sins Against Kwande’ is not only misrepresentative and deceptive, but treacherously conflict-ridden.
”At a time when Benue State needs unity, sober reflection, and honest leadership, it is unfortunate that some persons have embraced deceit, sacrificing facts on the altar of partisanship just to hoodwink the unsuspecting public.”
Kula further faulted Ashongo, describing his approach as divisive. According to him, “To Ashongo, a supposed leader of PDP in Benue State, he believes the best way to smear Gov Alia is to draw up a list of political appointees that have been relieved of their appointments from Kwande. Sadly he couldn’t state why they were removed, raising other divisive issues.”
He maintained that the governor harbours no animosity toward Kwande people, stressing, “For the record, Governor Alia has not, in word or deed, shown any hatred for Kwande people.
His government has consistently pursued governance reforms anchored on performance, accountability, and competence, not ethnicity, zoning manipulation, or political appeasement.”
The CPS also clarified that the disengagement of some officials was based purely on performance considerations.
He said, “The deletion of Chief Mrs. Mimi Adzape Orubibi, Prof. Joseph Alakali, and others from their chores was not an attack on Kwande but a cursory reflection of the Governor’s resolve to build a results-driven administration.
”As at today, many Kwande sons and daughters are strategically placed in the Alia administration, and more continue to be appointed based on competence, not political noise.”
The statement then listed several Kwande indigenes currently serving in the administration, including: “Prof Yangien Timothy Ornguga; Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice and Public Order, Hon. Terngu Shawon; Special Adviser on Politics, Msughter Fidelis Unongo: Special Adviser Special Duties, Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe: DG Bureau of Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, Aondona Stephen Uta: Executive Secretary Bureau of Mines and Solid Minerals, Hon. Bem Jacob Tseen: Executive Secretary Teaching Service Board, Kumafan Dzaan: Statistician General.”
Others named include, “Mrs Scholastic Liam: Commissioner 4 Civil Service Commission, Alexander Mbakindev: Executive Secretary, Benue State Rehabilitation Board, Dr. Mrs Erdoo Mongol-Agah; MD/CEO Benue Geo-Mining Company, Joel Terhemen Mtsôr: MD Benue Printing, Engr. Msughter Philip Chiga: Kwande Gubernatorial Liaison, Surv. Emmanuel Nongu, Philip Salemkaan: Principal Special Assistant, Cabinet Affairs, Emmanuel Atim: Principal Special Assistant, Entertainment, Hon. Mrs Edna Uba, Hon. Philip Kwaghsor, Hon. Aondosoo Basil Mela: SSA, Politics and Liaison, Wilfred Akoso: SSA, Hon. Samuel Maga: SSA, Project Monitoring and Community Service, Abraham Dooôrun Agôgô: SSA, Community Mobilization, Orkuma Adzua Ikyur: PSA Forestry & Logging, Asen Sambe: Member Pensions Board, Thomas Igyômon: Member Benue State Teaching Hospital Board.”
Addressing Ashongo’s zoning argument, the statement added, “It is mischievous for Ashongo to lament about zoning, as if he does not know it is a mere political arrangement and not a constitutional right… Where adjustments occur, they are often made in the interest of broader inclusion, stability, and equity, not dominance, and Ashongo is aware of this.
”His thinking that zoning alterations amount to hatred for Kwande, is at best sheer political dishonesty and an effort at inflaming the polity.”
On allegations relating to insecurity and traditional matters, Kula described Ashongo’s claims as false, stating, “Ashongo’s statement that Governor Alia disrupted the burial of Chief Wantaregh Paul Unongo and has denied killings in Kwande is grossly inaccurate. It is a declaration steeped in wickedness and bad faith.”
He added that the state government remains proactive on security, noting, “The Alia administration has unswervingly acknowledged the security crisis in Benue and is actively collaborating with federal security agencies, traditional institutions, and humanitarian partners to restore peace.”
The statement further accused Ashongo of politicising sensitive constitutional matters, saying his comments on the Benue State Chief Judge issue showed a lack of understanding of the rule of law.
According to Kula, “It is reckless to politicize judicial processes and reduce them to sections, partisanship and Kwande persecution storylines. The rule of law must triumph and not emotional blackmail and extortion.”
