Benue PDP Questions Legality of State Expenditure, Condemns Alia’s Refusal to Assent to Bills
The Benue State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns over the refusal of Governor Hyacinth Alia to assent to bills passed by the Benue State House of Assembly, including annual Appropriation Bills, describing the development as a threat to constitutional governance and democratic principles.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the State Secretary of the party, Comrade Dan Nyikwagh, the PDP said it was alarmed by a disclosure made by the immediate past Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh, during his birthday celebration.
According to the party, Dajoh revealed that the Assembly, under his leadership, successfully passed 33 bills within two years, but none of them, including the state’s budget bills, received the assent of Governor Alia.
The opposition party described the revelation as both shocking and disturbing, arguing that it raises serious constitutional, legal and governance questions regarding the operations of the state government.
“If indeed the budgets passed by the House were never signed into law by the Governor, under what legal framework has the government been expending public funds?” the PDP queried.
The party further questioned how the administration had justified its financial operations without duly enacted Appropriation Laws, as required by the Constitution and other relevant laws.
Beyond the issue of budget implementation, the PDP said the alleged refusal to assent to 33 bills painstakingly considered and passed by elected lawmakers amounted to an affront to democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
The party accused the executive arm of undermining the independence of the legislature and fostering a pattern of executive overreach.
The PDP also called on Governor Alia and the leadership of the Benue State House of Assembly to reverse what it described as politically motivated suspensions imposed on some lawmakers, including the immediate past Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh.
According to the party, suspending duly elected representatives weakens democratic institutions and denies affected constituencies their constitutional right to representation.
It maintained that no government committed to democratic values should silence elected officials because of political disagreements or differing views.
The opposition party further expressed concern that the governor appeared to be placing personal political considerations above institutional governance, the rule of law and the welfare of the people.
It stressed that democracy thrives on strong institutions, mutual respect among the arms of government and adherence to constitutional procedures.
Consequently, the PDP condemned what it termed a disregard for legislative authority and due process, insisting that the people of Benue State deserve a government that places public interest above political calculations.
The party disclosed that it would petition relevant constitutional and oversight authorities to investigate the issues raised and determine the legality of actions taken by the state government under the circumstances.
