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A social media post has sparked public outrage in Benue State, accusing Governor Hyacinth Alia of commissioning a private hotel named “Night Whisper,” purportedly owned by the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly. The post, shared by a user named Asom D Jerry, labels the action as “rubbish” and questions whether the governor and officials are unaware of constitutional provisions prohibiting public officers from engaging in private businesses beyond farming.
The accusation centers on Paragraph 2 of the Fifth Schedule (Part I) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which forms part of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. This section restricts certain public officers, including members of state houses of assembly, from maintaining or operating private businesses except in limited cases, such as farming. Speakers of state assemblies are explicitly included in the list of public officers subject to this code.
The post, which includes photos appearing to show a commissioning event, tags the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), calling for investigation into potential conflicts of interest or violations of the code of conduct. The critic describes the situation as “a clear case of a blind man leading a blind man,” implying poor judgment on the part of the state’s leadership.
As of late December 2025, the current Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly is Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga, who assumed the role following political shifts earlier in the year. No official response from the governor’s office or the assembly has been reported regarding this specific allegation, and details about the hotel’s ownership or the exact nature of the commissioning event remain unverified in public records.
This incident highlights ongoing scrutiny of governance and ethical standards in Benue State under Governor Alia’s administration, amid broader discussions on transparency and adherence to constitutional rules for public officials. Such controversies underscore the tension between promoting private enterprise and upholding restrictions designed to prevent conflicts of interest in public service.
