Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has sparked outrage after presenting the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly on Wednesday, December 11, amid controversial circumstances. The presentation, which should have been a major event, was overshadowed by the use of plastic chairs for lawmakers and the exclusion of media coverage.
Reports suggest that journalists were initially informed that the venue was not suitable for coverage. However, when some media personnel tried to enter, they were told to leave, particularly after a TVC cameraman began filming. A security officer reportedly intervened, citing the governor’s request to prevent any negative media portrayals.
The governor’s actions have drawn condemnation from advocates of democratic governance, who view the use of plastic chairs for lawmakers as an affront to the dignity of the legislative process. Dennis Agema, President of the Network for Transparent Governance (NTG), stated, “The Benue State House of Assembly is not merely a venue for legislative activities; it is a symbol of democracy, accountability, and the voice of the people.” He criticized the governor for undermining the integrity of the legislature and adopting a dismissive approach to governance.
The statement reads:
“We, as advocates for democratic governance and transparency, unequivocally condemn the action of Governor Hyacinth Alia during the presentation of the budget. His decision to allow legislators to sit on plastic chairs, and subsequently prohibit media coverage of the event, reflects a gross disrespect for the dignity of our democratic institutions and the principles that underpin them.
“The Benue State House of Assembly is not merely a venue for legislative activities; it is a symbol of democracy, accountability, and the voice of the people. By choosing to present the budget in such an undignified setting, Governor Alia has not only humiliated the elected representatives of the people but has also undermined the integrity of the legislative process. This blatant disregard for the Assembly’s decorum is a stark indication of the governor’s crude and dictatorial approach to governance and his apparent lack of respect for the roles of the legislature and the media.
“Apparently, Governor Alia was afraid of the backlash that would greet pictures of his budget presentation with the Assembly members sitting on rickety plastic chairs; but whose fault is it? Is he not the one who began a never-ending renovation of the Benue State House of Assembly complex?
“The attempt to restrict media access to the budget presentation was a direct affront to transparency and accountability in government. The media plays a crucial role in informing the public and holding officials accountable. By excluding journalists from a significant event such as a budget presentation, Governor Alia has sought to silence scrutiny and prevent the public from witnessing the proceedings that affect their lives and communities. Such an action is reminiscent of autocratic practices that have no place in a democratic society.
“We recall vividly that a few days after Governor Alia was sworn in, he announced that his administration would carry out a total renovation of the Assembly Complex. No one asked him to renovate the complex because the structures of the Assembly building were not in a dilapidated condition as Governor Alia claimed. He forged ahead and awarded a contract for the renovation without due process and till today, no one knows the contract figures. The work began under suspicious circumstances and has protracted to no end. The lawmakers have been relegated to working under deplorable conditions – sitting on plastic chairs and plastic tables to conduct legislative business. For one year and seven months, the Benue lawmakers have been deprived of their rightful offices, and were at some point forced to conduct their plenary sittings at Government House for many months.
“It is imperative we remind Governor Alia that public office is a trust conferred by the people, and those in power must act with humility and integrity.
“It is unacceptable that elected representatives of the people, who are entrusted with the critical responsibility of lawmaking and oversight, are treated with such disdain by Governor Alia. The image of the legislature is tarnished when its members are forced to operate in makeshift conditions, stripped of the respect and functionality that their roles demand.
“We are disappointed in members of the Benue State House of Assembly for allowing the governor to persistently ridicule them and reduce their important role to mere appendages of his office.
“We expected the Assembly to dare the governor and reject his visit to address them sitting on plastic chairs while he enjoys a cozy and conducive atmosphere at Government House.
“We are also alarmed by the level of falsehood that the Alia administration is fast becoming notorious for. As we speak, members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Benue State chapter have locked up the gates of the state High court in Makurdi over the non-implementation of the N75,000 minimum wage that Governor Alia promised them. The workers received their November salaries but saw no increase in their wages. Health workers in the state have also been on strike for about two months, but the governor seems not to be bothered.
“We urge Governor Alia to lead by example and make sacrifices for the people instead of flying in private jets, building expensive houses – home and abroad and driving cars worth hundreds of millions of naira,” the group stated.
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