What the PDP is asking
The statement was signed by Bright Yima Antyo, the party’s State Publicity Secretary. It asks whether the governor disputes Wike’s figures, and says that if he does, he should publish the actual numbers. If he accepts them, the party wants him to explain how the funds have been used since the removal of fuel subsidy.
The PDP says Alia has not held a comprehensive public briefing on revenue, expenditure, projects and results since he assumed office. It estimates that combined FAAC allocations to the state and its 23 local government areas exceed ₦1.3 trillion over that period. The party describes this as its own assessment, and it has not been independently verified.
Projects and security in focus
The party questioned what Benue residents can point to as a result. It cited unfinished excavated township roads in Makurdi and the long-running High Level underpass project, which it says raises concerns about due process and delivery timelines.
The PDP also linked the issue to insecurity, citing attacks, deaths and displacement in several communities. It wants the government to explain how much has been spent on security and what that spending has achieved. Daily Talk has also reported on the human cost of the situation, including the relocation of St. Winifred’s Girls’ School students to four Catholic schools in Benue.
The five demands
The PDP is asking Governor Alia to:
- Break his silence on Wike’s ₦30 billion monthly FAAC disclosure.
- Publish the state’s revenue and expenditure records since May 29, 2023.
- Provide verifiable details of projects funded, amounts spent and completion status.
- Explain security expenditure and the results achieved.
- Ensure all 23 local government councils publicly account for their allocations.
“Public revenue is not a private inheritance,” the party said, adding that residents have a right to know how government money is spent.
Not the first accountability call
Questions about Benue’s allocations have come up repeatedly. Earlier this year, former governor Samuel Ortom, through an aide, asked Alia to account for about ₦1.2 trillion in FAAC inflows. The report noted that the Alia administration had not presented its own reconciliation of receipts. In 2024, a civil society coalition made similar claims, and the governor disputed them, citing Benue’s rating on a transparency index.
For background on the figures, readers can consult the National Bureau of Statistics FAAC disbursement records. The Federation Account Allocation Committee is the body that shares federally collected revenue among the federal, state and local governments.
Why it matters
FAAC allocations to states have risen sharply since the fuel subsidy removal, which has increased public interest in how states spend the money. Daily Talk’s Business & Economy desk covers the wider fiscal picture, including the latest on FG’s guarantees and contingent liabilities. For more on state-level leadership and governance, see Aondoakaa and the Prison Decongestion Briefs: What Benue Can Learn About Leadership.
Follow more developments in our Politics section.