Benue: APC, PDP Clash Over Reported N19.18bn Unspent Intervention Funds

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue State chapter and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have clashed over the reported N19.18bn unspent basic education intervention funds by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

In a statement issued by its state Publicity Secretary, Bright Yima Antyo, the party demanded that the Benue State Government publish a comprehensive breakdown of all Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds received, counterpart contributions made, projects approved, contracts awarded, payments made and outstanding balances, since the inception of the Alia administration.

The statement stated that, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State is deeply concerned over revelations by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) that Benue State under Governor Hyacinth Alia has an unspent balance of N19.18 billion in basic education intervention funds, the highest among the 36 states of the federation”

“According to a report published by most national dailies on October 29, 2026, citing UBEC’s 2025 Annual Report, the N19.18 billion is unutilized, despite the urgent need to improve the condition of public schools across the state”, PDP said.

Parts of the PDP statement further said, “This revelation is not only embarrassing; it is a damning indictment of a government that has consistently demonstrated an alarming disconnect between its public pronouncements and the realities confronting ordinary people of the state.”

“At a time when children in other states are learning in upgraded school facilities, following the unprecedented resources available to the governments of their states as a result of fuel subsidy removal, the discovery that billions of naira earmarked for basic education in Benue State have remained unspent is nothing short of scandalous.

“How can a government claim to prioritize the welfare of the people while allowing N19.18 billion meant to improve the education of their children to remain unutilized for the purpose the funds were appropriated?”

Reacting, the APC state Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe, accused the PDP-led government of former governor Samuel Ortom of abandoning the educational sector, stressing that industrial actions crippled primary, secondary and tertiary education in the state.

APC said it was first in the history of Benue that governor Alia is building storey buildings in primary and secondary schools across the state, calling on the people not to take PDP serious, “When PDP was in government it abandoned the entire educational sector in Benue State. All the funds received by the Alia’s government are used judiciously. PDP should stop propaganda and present it manifesto to the people of Benue state and convince them with what they can do if voted into power again and stop lies against the government of Alia”

Yawe added, “During the PDP administration under former Governor Samuel Ortom, primary schools were almost not in existence because of strikes. School pupils spent more time at homes than in classrooms due to industrial actions. There were dilapidated schools all over the state. Now, when Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia came in 2023, this is the first time in the history of Benue state that a government is building storey buildings in primary schools in urban and rural areas. Many of these gigantic projects were completed and furnished. You can go around see it by yourself. PDP is seeking for recognition” APC said.