By Amos Aar
FORMER Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Terhemen Tarzoor, has alleged that some politicians in the state have mobilised the sum of N2 billion to destabilise the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Tarzoor, who was also a formerNigerian Ambassador to Namibia, made the allegation on Monday during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) House in Makurdi, where he said the “agents of darkness” were bent on frustrating the governor’s developmental strides through a coordinated smear campaign, false publications, and frivolous court cases.
According to him, credible intelligence revealed that the plan, which is expected to take off on December 1, 2025, involves the deliberate dissemination of falsehoods about the governor and his administration.
“We have uncovered a well-orchestrated plot by some politicians of Benue extraction who have chosen to be in opposition to the well-being of the state and her people, scheming to destabilise the administration of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia,” he said.
Tarzoor disclosed that the sponsors of the alleged plot have earmarked N2 billion to finance negative campaigns against the government. “Their agenda is to make the state ungovernable. Two elected members serving at the National Assembly have been assigned the role of spokespersons of this evil-minded group,” he alleged.
He said the plan includes launching a “vile campaign” accusing the government of financial impropriety, undermining state projects such as the Makurdi and Gboko underpass projects, and mobilising youths to stage violent anti-Alia protests in parts of the state.
“They have made contacts with key media organizations in Lagos and Abuja to continually publish falsehoods against our amiable governor in order to malign him and portray him negatively before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC,” he added.
The former ambassador further alleged that the plotters intend to send multiple petitions to anti-graft agencies and institute several court cases against key government officials in a bid to distract them from discharging their duties.
Tarzoor condemned what he described as “ignoble acts” by the unnamed politicians, warning that the people of Benue would not fold their arms and allow anyone to derail the administration’s progress.
“We have details of all those who made the contributions and who is in custody of the evil funds. In due time, we will expose these people and bring them before the court of public opinion as enemies of the people of Benue State,” he stated.
He recalled that those behind the alleged plot were also responsible for the recent rumours that Governor Alia was critically ill. “They spread a senseless rumour that the governor was flown unconscious to Abuja and then overseas for medical attention, when in fact, he was in Abuja holding strategic meetings to attract development to Benue. What a shame,” he remarked.
Tarzoor expressed confidence that the plan would fail, just as previous attempts to discredit or impeach the governor had failed. “His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia is focused and determined to deliver the dividends of democracy to the masses of Benue State. He will not be distracted by these political shenanigans,” he said.
He declared that both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Alia would receive overwhelming support for re-election in 2027. “There is indeed no vacancy in Aso Rock as well as in the Benue Government House,” Tarzoor maintained.
Responding to journalists’ questions on his relationship with Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and his apparent alignment with Governor Alia, Tarzoor said: “Governor Alia is now the father of the state and he is doing well; hence, the need to give him all the necessary support.”
When asked to name the alleged plotters, he replied, “Don’t be in a hurry. I will mention their names in due time.”
Reacting to suggestions that his support for Alia might be politically-motivated as there were rumours that he was romancing with the governor to contest an elective position, Tarzoor dismissed the claim as baseless.
“To say that will be an underestimation of my person because I have served this state in several capacities — as Majority Whip, Majority Leader, Speaker, gubernatorial candidate of the then ruling party, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Namibia. I have also been Senator George Akume’s campaign DG. I think I have the experience to comment on governance in Benue State. If I want to seek election, I am a bona fide son of Benue; I will do that,” he said.
On whether he had raised a campaign office for President Tinubu in Benue because there were reports recently that the president’s campaign office was demolished in Makurdi, Tarzoor, who is Tinubu’s campaign coordinator in Benue State, said he was unaware of such. “I am hearing about it for the first time. I am not aware of the existence of any Tinubu campaign office in Makurdi,” he clarified.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, urged political actors, including stakeholders, and aspirants to prioritise the unity and development of the state as the 2027 general elections approach.
He also advised journalists to take advantage of the remaining four days to participate in the screening exercise at the NUJ House, warning that those who fail to participate would no longer be allowed to cover press briefings at the secretariat.
