Gov Alia Criticized for Plans to Erect Giant Statues of Himself in Makurdi
Reports emerging from Benue State suggest that Governor Hyacinth Alia is planning to erect giant statues of himself at major junctions in Makurdi, the state capital—a move that has sparked outrage and condemnation.
The information was first shared by Raphael Akume, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, who confirmed the project in a social media post. For many observers, this announcement erased earlier doubts and confirmed that the self-glorifying initiative is indeed in motion.
Critics argue that the decision to spend public funds on statues amounts to a waste of resources and a betrayal of the trust of Benue people. With urgent needs in education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, and welfare, allocating funds to vanity projects is viewed as insensitive and unjustifiable.
“Governance should focus on service, accountability, and transparency—not self-glorification,” Ornguga wrote, stressing that public resources must uplift citizens rather than fuel a cult of personality.
No governor in Benue’s history—from Aper Aku to Samuel Ortom—ever named public assets after themselves while in office. Traditionally, infrastructure and projects are named to honor past leaders or notable figures.
However, Governor Alia has reportedly broken this norm by naming facilities such as the “Fr Alia Quality House” at the Quality Assurance building and the “Fr Alia Complex” at the BSUTH drug collection centre after himself. Critics warn this trend risks normalizing autocratic-style branding.
Ornguga urged Governor Alia to redirect his attention to unfulfilled campaign promises. Despite receiving increased federal allocations after fuel subsidy removal, arrears of salaries, pensions, and gratuities remain unpaid in Benue—while other states have cleared theirs.
President Bola Tinubu himself recently noted in Makurdi that governors now receive enough funds to settle such obligations without borrowing.
Governor Alia also promised to return internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes within his first 100 days in office, a pledge yet to materialize.
Critics insist that resources earmarked for the statues should instead be invested in roads, welfare programs, and debt clearance. They warn that self-glorifying ventures risk alienating citizens and reducing governance to propaganda rather than service.
“The time for politicking has passed. Governor Alia has enough funds to transform Benue. What the people need is leadership, not monuments of self-adulation,” Ornguga concluded.
Reports emerging from Benue State suggest that Governor Hyacinth Alia is planning to erect giant statues of himself at major junctions in Makurdi, the state capital—a move that has sparked outrage and condemnation.
The information was first shared by Raphael Akume, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, who confirmed the project in a social media post. For many observers, this announcement erased earlier doubts and confirmed that the self-glorifying initiative is indeed in motion.
Critics argue that the decision to spend public funds on statues amounts to a waste of resources and a betrayal of the trust of Benue people. With urgent needs in education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, and welfare, allocating funds to vanity projects is viewed as insensitive and unjustifiable.
“Governance should focus on service, accountability, and transparency—not self-glorification,” Ornguga wrote, stressing that public resources must uplift citizens rather than fuel a cult of personality.
No governor in Benue’s history—from Aper Aku to Samuel Ortom—ever named public assets after themselves while in office. Traditionally, infrastructure and projects are named to honor past leaders or notable figures.
However, Governor Alia has reportedly broken this norm by naming facilities such as the “Fr Alia Quality House” at the Quality Assurance building and the “Fr Alia Complex” at the BSUTH drug collection centre after himself. Critics warn this trend risks normalizing autocratic-style branding.
Ornguga urged Governor Alia to redirect his attention to unfulfilled campaign promises. Despite receiving increased federal allocations after fuel subsidy removal, arrears of salaries, pensions, and gratuities remain unpaid in Benue—while other states have cleared theirs.
President Bola Tinubu himself recently noted in Makurdi that governors now receive enough funds to settle such obligations without borrowing.
Governor Alia also promised to return internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes within his first 100 days in office, a pledge yet to materialize.
Critics insist that resources earmarked for the statues should instead be invested in roads, welfare programs, and debt clearance. They warn that self-glorifying ventures risk alienating citizens and reducing governance to propaganda rather than service.
“The time for politicking has passed. Governor Alia has enough funds to transform Benue. What the people need is leadership, not monuments of self-adulation,” Ornguga concluded.
Gov Alia Criticized for Plans to Erect Giant Statues of Himself in Makurdi
Reports emerging from Benue State suggest that Governor Hyacinth Alia is planning to erect giant statues of himself at major junctions in Makurdi, the state capital—a move that has sparked outrage and condemnation.
The information was first shared by Raphael Akume, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, who confirmed the project in a social media post. For many observers, this announcement erased earlier doubts and confirmed that the self-glorifying initiative is indeed in motion.
Critics argue that the decision to spend public funds on statues amounts to a waste of resources and a betrayal of the trust of Benue people. With urgent needs in education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, and welfare, allocating funds to vanity projects is viewed as insensitive and unjustifiable.
“Governance should focus on service, accountability, and transparency—not self-glorification,” Ornguga wrote, stressing that public resources must uplift citizens rather than fuel a cult of personality.
No governor in Benue’s history—from Aper Aku to Samuel Ortom—ever named public assets after themselves while in office. Traditionally, infrastructure and projects are named to honor past leaders or notable figures.
However, Governor Alia has reportedly broken this norm by naming facilities such as the “Fr Alia Quality House” at the Quality Assurance building and the “Fr Alia Complex” at the BSUTH drug collection centre after himself. Critics warn this trend risks normalizing autocratic-style branding.
Ornguga urged Governor Alia to redirect his attention to unfulfilled campaign promises. Despite receiving increased federal allocations after fuel subsidy removal, arrears of salaries, pensions, and gratuities remain unpaid in Benue—while other states have cleared theirs.
President Bola Tinubu himself recently noted in Makurdi that governors now receive enough funds to settle such obligations without borrowing.
Governor Alia also promised to return internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes within his first 100 days in office, a pledge yet to materialize.
Critics insist that resources earmarked for the statues should instead be invested in roads, welfare programs, and debt clearance. They warn that self-glorifying ventures risk alienating citizens and reducing governance to propaganda rather than service.
“The time for politicking has passed. Governor Alia has enough funds to transform Benue. What the people need is leadership, not monuments of self-adulation,” Ornguga concluded.
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