The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has demanded a detailed account of the state’s revenue and expenditure from Governor Hyacinth Alia following a claim by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that the state receives up to ₦30bn monthly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The opposition party also called on the governor to publish details of projects executed with the funds and explain how much had been spent on security amid persistent attacks on communities across the state.
In a statement, the PDP state publicity secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, said the administration needed to clarify whether it agreed with Wike’s disclosure and provide evidence of how the funds had been utilised.
Antyo said the party’s assessment put the combined FAAC allocations to the state government and its 23 local government areas at more than ₦1.3tn during the period under review.
He accused the administration of failing to provide a comprehensive public account of revenue received, expenditure incurred, projects executed and results achieved since Alia assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The PDP spokesman questioned the state of infrastructure and public services, citing unfinished township roads in Makurdi, the state capital, and delays in completing the High Level underpass project.
He also asked the government to provide details of funding for hospitals, schools, agricultural support programmes and road projects across the state’s 23 local government areas.
The party said persistent insecurity, which had resulted in deaths, displacement and destruction of livelihoods, made transparency over security spending particularly important.
It demanded the publication of the state’s revenue and expenditure records since May 2023, verifiable details of projects funded, the amounts spent and their completion status.
The PDP further urged the governor to ensure that all 23 local government councils publicly accounted for their respective allocations.
It said Alia should correct Wike’s figures if they were inaccurate or explain how the funds had been spent if the disclosure was correct.
“Government money belongs to the people, and the people have a right to know how it is spent,” Antyo said.
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