We Owe Explanations About Key Decisions We’ve Taken So Far – Governor Alia

“…It is on the wings of democracy that we have been given the privilege to serve Benue people and we do not take this privilege for granted. We see our mandate as an opportunity to right the wrongs, to rekindle hope in the electorate that a better Benue is possible and indeed at hand.”

Fellow Citizens,

WE give glory to the Almighty God who has made this day possible and who in His infinite powers, made possible our emergence as a Government in Benue State.

2. Following closely are Benue people, especially the electorate, whose votes have mandated us to govern the State in the next four years.
3. As you are probably aware, June 12^th has a history of its own. It was the day that in 1993, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted Chief M.K.O. Abiola as their President, but that election was annulled by the then Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. One of the aftermaths of the annulment of the election was the birth of violent groups including the formation of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which were strident voices against military rule. They also agitated for the inauguration of Chief Abiola as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
   

   “Again, as we mark Democracy Day in Benue State, we owe you all explanations about the few key decisions we have taken so far. On the issue of Recruitments/ Appointments, we noted that it was full of irregularities.”

4. The arrest, detention and eventual death of Chief Abiola on 7^th July, 1998 in suspicious circumstances accentuated the wave of violent agitations by NADECO and other groups for the return of democratic rule. Eventually, on 29^th May, 1999, democracy was restored by the Military Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, another son of the South-West from Ogun State, where Abiola also hailed from, was released from prison and elected as President. It is believed that this was aimed to pacify the people of the South-West political zone. However, the return of democratic governance in 1999 sign-posted fresh agitations, that is, the recognition of Chief Abiola as the rightful winner of that election and the need for him to take his due position in the annals of Nigeria’s political history.
5. It was a sigh of relief across Nigeria when June 12^th was finally recognized and formally adopted as Nigeria’s Democracy Day by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019. This brief background about how June 12^th has become a symbolic day in our democratic journey further shows that democracy has a lot of implications on the life of Nigeria and Nigerians, including Benue State.
6. As we mark this day, it is necessary to note that for the past twenty-four, unbroken years, Nigerians have firmly resolved that the democratic culture of choosing who to lead them through the ballot is the best. There is no gain saying about the enormous benefits that we have made and are making from democracy at the National, State and Local Government levels.
7. Distinguished Citizens, it is on the wings of democracy that we have been given the privilege to serve Benue people and we do not take this privilege for granted. We see our mandate as an opportunity to right the wrongs, to rekindle hope in the electorate that a better Benue is possible and indeed at hand.
   

   “In addition, the employment was lopsided in favour of few Local Government Areas and did not take the principle of State character into consideration; also, no budgetary provision was made to cater for the Recruitments just as there was no advertisement in any media as required by the provisions of the rules guiding the Service on the matter; and no Interviews were conducted to determine suitability or otherwise of candidates. Above all, the Solicitor-General of the State was not involved at any stage of the Recruitment process.”

8. In other ways, we will always count on your prayers, co-operation and support to succeed. We assure you that we are not a Government for any particular Party, any ethnic group or any religion. As a matter of fact, we are not only for Benue indigenes. We see all legitimate Benue residents as our people and would always treat them fairly, with respect and decorum.
9. On a day as this, we cannot forget how broad-based our support has always being.[sic] We remember with joy how all the young people, many though not from our Party, campaigned with zest for us. What about the old men and women in the rural areas and in the townships who sacrificed their all to support us? We note also with thanks and appreciation, the market men and women, Motor Drivers and Cyclists (Okada) who showed faith and even convinced their passengers that we are the right people for the job. We acknowledge the role of Civil Servants, the academia, religious and Traditional leaders who, though not mounting the political rostrum, did all within their democratic rights to support us directly and indirectly. Above all, we remain grateful to the leaders and members of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) who stood behind us. We will not be here without you.
10. Again, as we mark Democracy Day in Benue State, we owe you all explanations about the few key decisions we have taken so far. On the issue of Recruitments/ Appointments, we noted that it was full of irregularities. Specifically; the Civil Service Secretariat through the out-gone Administration recruited Two Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-Four (2,194) persons. The State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) employed Three Thousand, Twenty-Eight (3,028) against the approved number of Two Thousand, Five Hundred (2,500) only while Replacements made were over Five Thousand (5,000). Teaching Service Board (TSB) employed Two Thousand Five Hundred (2,500), that is, for Grant-in-Aid Schools, four in number, One Hundred and Twenty Teachers. Replacements were Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Four (2,484). In the entire exercise, due process was not adopted.
    

    “We call for your patience and understanding as we are working hard to address these problems. Indeed, as from 25th of this month, Civil Servants should start expecting alerts for their payments.”

11. In addition, the employment was lopsided in favour of few Local Government Areas and did not take the principle of State character into consideration; also, no budgetary provision was made to cater for the Recruitments just as there was no advertisement in any media as required by the provisions of the rules guiding the Service on the matter; and no Interviews were conducted to determine suitability or otherwise of candidates. Above all, the Solicitor-General of the State was not involved at any stage of the Recruitment process.
12. Distinguished Benue sons and daughters, the appointment of persons to the post of Permanent Secretaries from January, 2023 to May, 2023 was reversed for the following reasons:
13. Since the appointments were politically motivated, the Due Process required was not observed;
14. The eventual postings of the appointed Permanent Secretaries were mainly for cover up;

iii. In making the appointments, the State Character Principle was not observed.

13. In view of all the above, the hard decisions we are taking are for the common good. We have no room for witch hunt in our Government. But we will not shy away from taking those decisions that may look harsh but have become the foundations on which to build the peaceful and prosperous Benue of our dreams.
14. Good people of Benue, we are aware of the sufferings and hardships of our people especially Civil Servants and retirees due to non-payment of their Salaries, Pensions and Gratuities. We call for your patience and understanding as we are working hard to address these problems. Indeed, as from 25th of this month, Civil Servants should start expecting alerts for their payments.
15. Similarly, I call on all Benue people not to despair but to keep hope alive because a new Benue is possible not through any other means but with all hands being on deck. We will not appreciate you enough so far for your prayers, support and cooperation.
16. Thank you all for listening and may God bless the new Benue of our dreams.

Long live Benue State

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Being the statewide Broadcast by the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to mark 2023 Democracy Day Celebration in Benue State on Monday, 12^th June, 2023.