General News
PDP Questions Alia’s Spending as Wike Reveals ₦30bn Monthly FAAC
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has challenged Governor Hyacinth Alia to account for the state’s revenue and expenditure following a disclosure by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that Benue receives as much as N30 billion monthly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The party said the disclosure had raised concerns about the management of public funds, urging the state government to provide a detailed account of its revenue and expenditure since the governor assumed office on May 29, 2023.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Bright Antyo, questioned the state government’s silence on Wike’s claim, demanding that Alia either clarify the figures or explain how the funds had been utilised.
The opposition party said the governor should disclose the resources available to the state, particularly following the removal of the fuel subsidy, and demonstrate how the increased revenue had translated into development for the people.
According to the PDP, the combined FAAC allocations to the state and its 23 local government areas exceeded N1.3 trillion during the period under review.
It argued that the state government and the local councils had a responsibility to account for the funds received and explain the extent to which public spending had improved the lives of residents.
The party lamented what it described as the absence of a comprehensive public accountability briefing by the Alia administration on revenue received, expenditure incurred, projects executed and results achieved since May 2023.
It questioned the availability of functional hospitals, equipped schools, agricultural support programmes, completed roads and other infrastructure projects across the state’s 23 local government areas.
The PDP cited unfinished township road projects in Makurdi and the prolonged construction of the High Level underpass as examples of projects that, according to the party, had raised concerns about implementation timelines and due process.
The party also expressed concern over persistent insecurity in the state, noting that communities continued to suffer attacks, deaths, displacement and destruction of livelihoods.
It called on the government to disclose the resources committed to security operations and provide evidence of the impact of the expenditure on protecting lives, restoring peace and safeguarding communities.
The opposition party urged Governor Alia to publish the state’s revenue and expenditure records from May 29, 2023, alongside verifiable details of projects funded, amounts spent and their completion status.
It further demanded that the governor explain security spending and its outcomes, while ensuring that all 23 local government councils publicly account for their respective allocations.
The PDP maintained that the governor should clarify Wike’s disclosure and provide accurate figures if the minister’s claim was incorrect.
However, it insisted that if the figures were accurate, the state government should explain how the funds had been spent and the benefits delivered to the people.
The party said public revenue belonged to the people and that residents had the right to know how government funds were managed.
