Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has linked the crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to his refusal to share public funds with party chieftains.
Alia made the allegation at the Adamawa State Tiv Day celebration in Yola on Saturday, November 14, 2026, accusing some party leaders of seeking to turn the state into their personal estate.
“The APC crisis you people are seeing in Benue State is not because I’m not working for the people of the state. Some chieftains of the party want to convert the state into their private estate, and I said it will not happen under my leadership,” he said.
The governor insisted that no individual or group had a greater claim to Benue than its residents, who elected him into office.“There was Benue State before those individuals and there will be Benue State after those individuals,” he said.
He added that the people of the state, rather than a few party members pursuing family interests, would determine his political future.
Beyond the political dispute, Alia urged Tiv people living in Adamawa to maintain peaceful relations with other communities and contribute to the country’s development.
He argued that Nigeria could not progress if any ethnic group attempted to build the country alone, stressing the importance of cooperation among its diverse communities.The governor also donated ₦5m towards the construction of a Tiv unity house in Adamawa State.
Representing Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Prambe, commended the Tiv community for its lawful activities.
Prambe assured residents of the state government’s continued support, particularly in creating an environment that encourages businesses and economic activities.
Earlier, the President of Mdzough U Tiv in Adamawa State, Prof. Iorwuese Anum, praised Fintiri’s administration for its infrastructure development, which he said had improved economic activities and reduced security challenges. Anum urged Tiv residents to remain law-abiding and engage in productive ventures.
The association also conferred chieftaincy titles on Modibbo Adama University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Umar; Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority regional manager, Barnabas Myaornyi; and Godwin Tyoachimin in recognition of their contributions.
Emiabata Deborah Oluwabusiolami
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