From altar to apathy: The lackluster leadership in Benue state

BY VICTOR TERHEMBA

On May 29, 2023, when Reverend Father Alia Hyacinth was being sworn in as the sixth democratically elected governor of Benue state, there was jubilation around the state, especially in Makurdi, the state capital. Fr. Alia, as fondly called, by the All Peoples Congress, APC, defeated his main challenge in the 2023 gubernatorial elections, Titus Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by 473, 933 votes to 223, 913 votes.

His wide acceptance among the Benue people and his resounding victory at the polls were not unconnected to his service to God and humanity. Moreover, the nostalgic tenure of the Late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu as governor of Benue state between January 1992 and November 1993 was not lost on his campaign.

Fr. Alia gained popularity and became a household name in Benue state as a healing priest and a humanitarian. Thus, when he sacrificed his cassocks in the interim to run for the office of the governor of Benue state, it was a decision that was welcomed by many. His aspiration elicited hope in the hearts of Benue indigenes. Understandably, as a man of God with healing gifts, the people were hopeful that he would be the one to set Benue state on the right because truly, the state needs healing in all facets.  He is not the first catholic priest to step away from the church to become governor of Benue state. Late Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu in 1992 became governor of Benue state. His short but impactful stint at the Benue state government house was embellished with some development strides in the state, such that till today, the older generation still reminisce on his time as governor with nostalgia.

After the abysmal and unpardonable misgovernance of Governor Samuel Ortom (who by the way should never be allowed anywhere near public office again; even as a local government councillor), the administration of Fr. Alia was anticipated to herald a new era of revitalisation. His candidacy rekindled the hopes of indigenes that a bright future awaits them with Governor Alia. However, the governor does not yet fully grasp the enormity of the task nor the mountainous challenges bedevilling the state he campaigned to govern. Instead of swiftly addressing the pressing needs of Benue state, Fr. Alia’s focus seems diverted towards ceremonial obligations, irrespective of their location. Week after week, the governor is seen traversing the length and breadth of Nigeria, attending various events.

In 10 months as governor, Fr. Alia is yet to show that he is ready to take on the tasks that he was elected to do. The governor has yet to initiate or undertake critical reforms necessary to rejuvenate the ailing Benue that remains conspicuously absent from his agenda. In stark contrast to some of his counterparts, like Alex Otti, and Peter Mbah, among others, Fr. Alia has yet to commission even a modest 500 meters of asphalt road, let alone initiate any tangible governance initiatives. Neither has he commissioned any other tangible deliverables of governance. The state’s civil service continues to languish in stagnation, while decrepit schools and neglected infrastructure underscore the prevailing state of neglect. Benue state languishes in inertia, despite increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Let me be fair to say that, I did not harbour the expectation that Governor Alia would perform excellently well. I have held this belief during the campaigns for two reasons. Firstly, he belongs to the APC party, a party not renowned for administrative competence. The APC and competence are two parallels that hardly ever converge. Secondly, his core political team is made of people who do not inspire hope for a better Benue. His deputy is Chief Sam Ode, and his political leader in the state is Senator George Akume, the current secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), among other political heavyweights in the states. Sincerely, for a clergyman turned politician like Fr. Alia, and being surrounded by such characters, it would naturally be a daunting task to perform optimally in the best interest of the state. Even the governor alluded to this in a recent report by The Punch Newspaper where he said “They are demanding that we should not build schools, pay salaries, and provide streetlights and I am saying no”.

Barely months after assuming the leadership of Benue state, he was already embroiled in political turmoil with his benefactor, George Akume, and some federal lawmakers on the side of the SGF for the control of the state. In a viral video and show of disrespect, one of the federal lawmakers, Hon. Philip Agbese, representing the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency, asked his aides to remove the portrait of the Benue state governor from the walls of his office because he does not recognise him as his leader and he is not fit to be a leader. The lawmaker’s despicable act was disrespectful to the governor and the office of the governor of Benue state.

Regardless of these distractions, obstacles and challenges, Governor Alia must recognise his obligation to the people of Benue who entrusted him with their votes. The governor should begin to earnestly put in motion actions that reinforce the trust and belief in his administration by the people.

For Governor Alia, his work is already cut out for him, albeit arduous. His priority areas are already highlighted by the current socioeconomic realities of the state.

According to BudgIT’s 2022 State of States report, Benue state has an estimated GDP of ₦4.27 trillion, the 12th largest in the country, despite its huge agricultural potential among other untapped natural resources. The governor should immense thinking of critical and creative ways to increase the state’s internal general Revenue (IGR), and increase investment inflows (Benue state was one of the states in 2023 that attracted no FDI into the state according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics), and leveraging the state’s agricultural potentials for job creation and economic prosperity of the state and reduce its over-reliance on FAAC allocations.

In 2022, BudgIT assessed the fiscal sustainability of all 36 states in Nigeria using indices such as the ability of the state to cover its operating costs solely with its IGR, its ability to meet all operating expenses and loan repayment obligations without resorting to borrowing, its debt sustainability, and its emphasis on capital expenditures over recurrent costs. Benue was ranked last among the 36 states. The state’s woes are compounded by one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and a 75% poverty rate according to the MPI report of 2022. This stark reality should signal to the governor that a lot of work needs to go into job creation and lifting the people out of poverty and he does not have the luxury of time for his lackadaisical approach to governing the state.

The dark picture is not over yet. With about 300,000 out-of-school children in Benue state, the governor should well realise that he cannot achieve improved human capital and social development (which is part of his seven-point agenda) if he does not prioritise investment in education. Benue suffers a great infrastructure deficit in the face of dilapidated infrastructure all over the state.

It will be an utter shame if Governor Alia Hyacinth, like former president Muhammdu Buhari, squanders the goodwill he enjoys from the people and dashes their hopes. I am sure the governor is equally realising that he cannot govern by performing miracles but by rolling up his sleeves and getting the world. Allow me to caution the governor against succumbing to the ensnaring influence of sycophants and the pitfalls of unwarranted and unmerited accolades.

My prayers and hopes are with the government that he would be able to steer the state to greater heights for the benefit of all.

Terhemba, a public affairs commentator, writes from FCT, Abuja. He can be reached via @Victor_Terhemba on X and via [email protected]