Senior Advocate of Nigeria and constitutional lawyer, Sebastian Hon, has declared that he will contest the Benue State governorship election, citing what he described as serious failures in the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Hon accused the governor of incompetence, insensitivity, and an opaque style of governance. He alleged that the state government has failed to address insecurity, rising killings, and economic hardship in Benue State.
According to him, communities across the state are facing severe security challenges, with residents unable to access their farmlands due to attacks. He criticized what he termed the governor’s “nonchalant attitude” toward the situation and accused him of ignoring intelligence reports and failing to collaborate effectively with security agencies.
Hon also alleged that Governor Alia disregarded calls by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to foster unity among political stakeholders following the Yelwata killings. He claimed that proposed reconciliation meetings have yet to hold.
On governance and transparency, Hon accused the administration of operating without sufficient financial openness, alleging that key state financial details, including wage bills and internally generated revenue, are not publicly known. He also questioned the scale and funding of certain infrastructure projects.
The senior lawyer further argued that Benue should prioritize security and agriculture, proposing substantial annual investment in agricultural subsidies and improved collaboration with the Federal Government and neighboring states to address cross-border attacks.
Hon concluded by stating that his decision to run for governor is driven by what he described as a commitment to restoring security, transparency, and economic stability in Benue State.
