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A Benue Facebook user, Felix Felix, has publicly expressed frustration with the administration of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, alleging that two major campaign promises made ahead of the 2023 governorship election remain largely unfulfilled more than two years after the governor assumed office.
In a widely circulated post, Felix recalled that Governor Alia (then a candidate) made strong commitments that significantly influenced voter support, especially among displaced persons and civil servants. The first major pledge was to end insecurity across the state and resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral communities within the first 100 days in office. The second was a promise to clear the backlog of salary and pension arrears owed to civil servants and retirees within the same timeframe.
Felix claimed these promises deeply resonated with residents—particularly IDPs living in camps who hoped to return to their homes and farms, as well as civil servants and pensioners who anticipated prompt settlement of outstanding entitlements. He argued that both groups gave strong backing to the campaign based on these expectations.
However, Felix lamented that the situation has not improved as promised. He alleged that insecurity persists in parts of the state, with new displacements still being reported in some communities. He also claimed that salary and pension arrears remain a serious concern for workers and retirees, despite increased federal allocations to states following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The social media commentator criticized what he described as a recurring pattern: after violent incidents, politicians visit affected areas, distribute relief items such as bags of rice, make fresh promises, and then the cycle of violence continues without resolution. He stated: “After the killings, the only thing that usually happens is that politicians will come and share bags of rice, and people will forget everything, laugh with the politicians, and even reelect them.”
Felix called on residents—particularly Tiv-speaking communities—to break free from temporary relief gestures and complacency. He urged sustained advocacy, demand for truth and accountability, and refusal to normalize violence in order to achieve lasting security and justice.
He concluded the post by calling for divine intervention for Benue State.
The commentary reflects growing public sentiment in some quarters over the pace of addressing insecurity and welfare issues in the state, even as the Alia administration continues to highlight relative improvements in certain areas. No official response from the government had been issued at the time of this report.
