The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has lambasted the governor, Hyacinth Alia, for his ’empty’ and ‘unimpressive’ performance in his first 100 days in office. The PDP accused the governor of failing to deliver on his campaign promises and of violating the rule of law and the constitution in the state.
The PDP spokesperson, Bemgba Iortyom, said in a statement that the governor had nothing to show for his 100 days in office, except for propaganda and media hype. He said the governor had not initiated or completed any meaningful project in the state, and had not paid the salaries and pensions of workers and retirees. He also said the governor had not addressed the security challenges and the humanitarian crisis in the state, which had been worsened by the influx of refugees from neighboring Cameroon.
Iortyom also alleged that the governor had violated the financial regulation laws and the constitutional rule in the state, by suspending the local government elections, dissolving the state executive council, and appointing caretaker committees without consulting the state assembly. He said the governor had also disregarded the judicial arm of government, by refusing to swear in the chief judge of the state, who had been duly confirmed by the National Judicial Council.
He said the PDP was disappointed and dismayed by the governor’s performance, and urged him to wake up from his slumber and deliver good governance to the people of Benue State. He said the PDP would continue to hold the governor accountable and expose his failures to the public.
The governor’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), however, dismissed the PDP’s claims as baseless and unfounded. The APC spokesperson, James Ornguga, said in a statement that the governor had performed excellently in his first 100 days in office, and had fulfilled most of his campaign promises. He said the governor had embarked on several projects across the state, such as roads, schools, hospitals, water supply, and electricity. He also said the governor had paid the salaries and pensions of workers and retirees up to date, and had improved the security situation and the welfare of refugees in the state.
Ornguga also defended the governor’s actions as legal and constitutional, saying that he had acted within his powers as the chief executive of the state. He said the governor had suspended the local government elections due to security reasons, dissolved the state executive council to restructure his administration, and appointed caretaker committees to ensure effective service delivery at the grassroots level. He also said that he had not sworn in the chief judge of the state because he was awaiting a court ruling on a pending case challenging his appointment.
He said that APC was proud of Governor Alia’s achievements, and challenged him to continue to work hard for the development of Benue State. He said that APC would not be distracted by PDP’s propaganda and criticism, which he described as signs of frustration and desperation.