Gov Alia’s Aide Joseph Resigns, Claims 12 Months’ Salary Delay

Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia’s Special Assistant on Youths and Media Mobilization, Atu Terver Joseph, has resigned from his position with immediate effect, citing personal reasons and later alleging delayed salary payments during his tenure.

In a resignation letter addressed to the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Atu expressed appreciation to Governor Alia for the opportunity to serve in the administration, noting that he was grateful for the experience gained while in office.

According to him, “I write with profound respect and gratitude to tender my resignation from my position as Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Media Mobilization effective immediately.”

He added, “I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to serve under your administration and for the confidence posed in me. I remain appreciative of the experience gained and I wish your Excellency continued success in the service of Benue State.”

However, in a video message after his resignation, the former aide alleged that he worked for the first 12 months of his appointment without receiving salaries or allowances.

“I worked in the first year of my appointment without salaries and allowances but I continued. I started receiving salaries after one year of my appointment,” he claimed.

Atu also hinted at possible political realignment, as he had earlier disclosed on his verified Facebook page that he visited the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, shortly before his resignation.

The development has sparked speculation about a potential shift in his political alignment following his exit from the Alia administration.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain reactions from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and the Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev, were unsuccessful as calls to their lines were not answered at the time of filing this report.

The state government is yet to officially respond to the allegations made by the former aide.