By Amos Aar
GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has directed recently sacked commissioners of his administration to return official vehicles, Prado Jeeps, he allocated to them.
The vehicles were distributed in May 2024, one year into the governor’s tenure.
Following the dissolution of the State Executive Council on July 30, 2025, the governor recalled the vehicles after a year and six months of use.
The directive was contained in a circular, dated August 4, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, Esq.
The circular entitled: “SUBMISSION OF VEHICLES”, reads:
“Recall that in the Benue State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting of Wednesday, July 30, 2025, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia dissolved the Executive Council (Commissioners and Chief of Staff). Subsequently, the outgoing EXCO members were directed to hand over all government properties including vehicle(s), diplomatic passport, documents, etc. in their possession to the Permanent Secretaries of their Ministries.
“2. In this vein, the Head of Service is requested to accordingly direct the Permanent Secretaries who have collected the vehicles to submit them to the Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration today, Monday, 4th August, 2025 before 12 noon, please.
“3. Accept the assurances of my warm regards.”.
Mixed Reactions
The move has stirred mixed reactions on social media, with some defending the decision and others criticising it.
Reacting on Facebook, Maxwell Ankala wrote: “After Two Years of Service to Their Fatherland, Benue Ex. Commissioners Asked to Submit Official Vehicles, Others.”
Hon. Kerker Adasu Peter also commented: “Even six months Chairman wants [sic] with official cars talk more of two years commissioners.”
Tersue Unongu shared his view: “They are entitled to the cars if each of them have [sic] served up to a period of about two years before their removal.”
On the contrary, some commentators supported the government’s decision.
Cheren Stanley posted: “That’s a good move. It’s official and not their personal cars.”
Mathias Awashima, responding to a post by Tivta Samuel, added: “Kaiiii. Show me one appointee during Ortom’s tenure that was allowed to take the vehicle home?”
In agreement, John Obonga Ominyi wrote: “Mathias Awashima don’t mind them, these are government properties not personal belongings, let them be murmuring, if the governor allow them to go with those properties they will still complain when he is to purchased new once [sic] for the new commissioners.”
However, not all voices supported the decision. Queen Ten expressed her disappointment with crying emojis, commenting: “Haba nah! this is not good ”
As Benue people continue to express their feelings online, the directive has given rise to a serious debate on entitlement, government accountability, and the management of public assets in Benue State.
