Allegations Of Lackluster Performance: Group Rises Up In Defense Of Gov Alia

MAKURDI – A war of words has trailed allega­tions of lackluster performance against the Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, of Benue State, by the Jemgbagh Devel­opment Association (JEMDA) extraction in the state.

JEMDA, at a press conference in Makurdi, had stated that it was saddened by the situation where the immediate past Speaker, Aondoana Dajoh, who is also of the Jemgbagh extraction, was allegedly forced to resign from office and his position given out to Alfred Emberga, of the MIN­DA extraction.

JEMDA further alleged that the state government has made consistent attempts to under­mine the Secretary to the Gov­ernment of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, other traditional rulers and sidelining the Jemgbagh extraction in the scheme of things.

However, in response to the allegations, the Ior-Jemgbagh Development Association, a sister organization of JEMDA, reeled out some achievements of Governor Alia and positions to the people of Jemgbagh, thus debunking the claim that Jemg­bagh was being marginalized by the Alia administration.

Rising in defense of Gover­nor Alia, the Ior-Jemgbagh, at a press conference held in Mak­urdi, weekend, distanced itself from JEMDA, and pitched tent with Governor Alia, whom they said was performing well and had demonstrated commitment to the development of Jemgbagh as well as other parts of the state.

Secretary and spokesman for the group, Tivlumun Aminde, stated: “We, the leaders and people of Ior-Ijemgbagh Devel­opment Association across the three Local Government Areas of Gboko, Buruku, Tarka and the diaspora wish to disassoci­ate ourselves from the recent press statement of 17th Septem­ber, 2025, made by the purported leader of JEMDA, Prince Yandev Amaabai, and wish to clearly state that we are solidly behind our performing Governor His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

“Despite being from the Jechi­ra cultural block, our Governor has shown remarkable commit­ment to inclusivity, embracing every interest across the state without favoring any particular block over the others, equally on this note, we are proud to say that individuals of Jemgbagh extraction have been given key roles in Government.