Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has warned against attempts to determine the state’s political future through private negotiations, insisting that its leadership must be decided by its people.
The governor’s Special Assistant on Social Media Communications, Asortar James, made the position known in a post titled “Wike: Benue is not Rivers State and Governor Alia is not Fubara”, in response to comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor, had reportedly said states, including Benue, were receiving higher federal allocations than they did during his tenure, urging governors to execute projects that reflected the resources available to them.
However, James argued that Benue’s political circumstances differed from those of Rivers State and should not be treated as a template for political negotiations ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also sought clarification on media reports alleging a Rainbow Coalition involving Wike, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and former Benue governor Samuel Ortom.
The aide said the individuals concerned should openly explain the objectives of the reported alliance, particularly if it was intended to influence the state’s governorship.
He cautioned against drawing conclusions without evidence, saying allegations should be examined through credible information rather than speculation or political propaganda.
James also defended the Alia administration’s performance, citing the reported provision of 150 Hilux vehicles and more than 600 motorcycles to security personnel, as well as the establishment of the Civil Protection Guards and the Anyam Nyor joint task force.
He said the measures were intended to strengthen security, although he acknowledged that insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and the needs of displaced residents remained major challenges.
The governor’s aide also cited the reported rehabilitation of Taraku Mills as part of efforts to restore an industrial asset, create jobs and link farmers to markets.
However, questions remain about the viability of the project.
A former political aide to Ortom, Terver Jirgba, told The Guardian that the mill’s previous difficulties stemmed largely from the high cost of diesel-powered operations and the expense of transporting water from Makurdi to the facility.
Jirgba said restarting the machinery and running limited operations would not resolve the underlying problems without a dedicated power supply and adequate water infrastructure.
He warned that without addressing those challenges, efforts to revive the mill could amount to a publicity exercise rather than a sustainable industrial recovery.
The exchange comes amid growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, with questions over alliances and the control of Benue’s political leadership becoming increasingly prominent.
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