*Money Also Distributed To Unnamed Media Houses To Paint Gov Black, He Adds
*Benue IDPs Get Lifeline As State Emergency Agency Steps Up Efforts
By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
An alleged plot to destabilize the administration of Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, has been uncovered.
The said plot reportedly has led to the mobilization of resources to the tune of N2billion as well as other items by the spearheads intent on bringing down the government.
Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Namibia and one-time gubernatorial candidate in the state, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor, disclosed these at the NUJ House in Makurdi, the state capital, during a press briefing.
According to him, the plot was well-orchestrated by persons of Benue extraction, who, he said, have chosen to be in opposition to the well-being of the state and her people.
Ambassador Tarzoor told journalists that the destabilising acts of these people in their individual and collective capacities were not new, but lamented that the desperation it has assumed recently is what has become worrisome to right thinking persons in the Middle Belt state.
“To ensure the execution of the plot, two elected members who are serving at the National Assembly have been assigned the role of spokespersons of the evil-minded group,” he disclosed.
Tarzoor wondered why one would claim to be a political leader and still contemplate such action against the governor.
“We have received credible information that these malicious-minded people have mobilised financial resources to the tune of N2b for the purpose of destabilising the Alia-led administration. Their agenda to make the state ungovernable, according to the plot will take effect from December 1, 2025,” Tarzoor added.
The agenda of the group, he further alleged, includes “to launch a vile campaign and propaganda against the Alia-led administration by raising false alarm of financial impropriety,” he said.
The group, according to Tarzoor, was also seeking to undermine the accomplishment of the state government’s major contracts with particular reference to the Underpass projects in Makurdi and Gboko and major road projects across the state and to lampoon the Governor about his transparency stand.
Also as part of the plot, he added, was the mobilization of the youth to stage violent anti-Alia protests in Makurdi, Gboko and other towns in the state so as to dent Alia’s popularity and to intensify media propaganda especially on social media platforms against the administration.
He alleged that “the plotters have made contacts with key media organisations in Lagos and Abuja to continually publish falsehood against our amiable governor with the view to malign him and hopefully reduce his estimation before the public and portray him in negative light before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC.
“As the group prepared for numerous petitions against key officials of the Alia-led administration to the anti-graft agencies alleging corruption in the management of public resources, they also intended to institute multiple court cases against key Government officials in the Alia-led administration in order to distract them from effectively discharging their official duties and responsibilities,” the ex-envoy disclosed.
“We condemn this plot in its entirety and warn these enemies of Benue State to desist from these ignoble acts before the wrath of the people of the State will visit them.
“Let it be known to them that we shall not fold our arms and watch anybody, no matter how highly placed, to distract our governor from the great work he is doing for the people of this state. To keep silent would be a betrayal of the masses, whom the governor has consistently defended through his policies and programmes since he assumed office.
“We want to make it abundantly clear that we have details of all those who made the contributions and who is in custody of the ‘evil funds’ and we will in due time expose these people and bring them to the court of public opinion as enemies of the people of Benue state.
“It is pathetic that elected representatives of the people, who have nothing to show for their freely-given mandate, other than the tokenisms they constantly, albeit begrudgingly, display, would mobilise such humongous amounts of money, not for any developmental project but to pull down the Governor of the people, Fr. Alia,” Tarzoor lamented.
“Not long ago, these agents of darkness originated a wicked rumour about the health status of His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia. Some of them even spread the senseless rumour that the Governor was critically ill and flown to Abuja unconscious by an air ambulance and then overseas for medical attention.
“Coincidentally and to the defeat of their wicked and evil intentions, the governor was in Abuja and held strategic meetings with key personalities in the Federal system, seeking ways to improve the lot of Benue state and her people. His Excellency Governor Alia has since returned to Benue state and his duty post providing leadership to the people of the state. What a shame,” said he.
Hope Rises For Benue IDPs
Meanwhile, as part of efforts aimed at restoring livelihood and rebuilding communities for the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), in collaboration with other organisations, has started working towards building of communities.
Speaking during the distribution of food and non-food items to the IDPs in Makurdi, the Permanent/Executive Secretary, BSEMA, Dr. James Iorpuu disclosed that
“Governor Alia’s administration is taking deliberate and strategic steps to restore livelihoods and rebuild communities. In collaboration with our partners, Benue SEMA has commenced the biometric review and issuance of new identity cards to IDPs in camps and host communities to ensure proper documentation and inclusion.”
He added: “Through our partnership with the UNHCR, solar-powered boreholes have been drilled in returnee communities such as Tatyough in Makurdi Local Government Area, where food and non-food items were also distributed to assist families in rebuilding their lives.
“Likewise, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), we have initiated housing and water projects at Naka Dam, including the construction of a water treatment plant aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of water scarcity in Naka IDP Camp and surrounding host communities.”
The BSEMA boss said that the efforts mirror Governor Alia’s Renewed Hope vision, which, he emphasised, does not only seek to provide relief but restores dignity, promotes self-reliance, and ensures the safe and sustainable return of the displaced populations.
Iorpuu expressed deep appreciation to international and local partners, as well as sister Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), for their continued collaboration which, he noted, aligned perfectly with the Durable Solutions Plan for IDPs and remains crucial to the success of the humanitarian response.
The Executive Secretary expressed delight as, according to him, the Governor has continued to demonstrate remarkable compassion and determination through practical interventions, adding that he has entrusted BSEMA, under his leadership, with the vital responsibility of ensuring that every displaced person receives the attention and support he deserves.
According to the BSEMA boss the distribution of food and non-food items was a clear testament to Gov. Alia’s people-centered leadership and his administration’s dedication to improving the welfare of displaced and vulnerable populations.
“Through this intervention, food and
non-food items will be distributed across 15 official IDP camps, beyond meeting immediate needs,” he noted.
He urged all BSEMA staff, security personnel, and the media to uphold transparency, fairness, and accountability, ensuring that every item reaches its intended beneficiary.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Amb. Tarzoor (m) during the press conference.
