Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has dismissed a petition sent to Pope Leo XIV by Joseph Waya, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election, calling it a product of gossip, personal frustration, and political defeat.
In a strongly worded statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, on Monday, Governor Alia said the petition contained baseless allegations and was aimed at misleading the public and dragging the Catholic Church into partisan politics.
The petition, dated September 1, 2025, and made available to journalists in Abuja, accused Governor Alia of corruption, political intimidation, and running an underperforming administration. Waya further alleged that Alia had brought the Catholic Church into disrepute through his actions as a serving Catholic priest in public office.
The petition was also copied to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Bishops of the four Catholic dioceses in Benue State.
Governor Alia, a Catholic priest turned politician, described the petition as a desperate cry from a defeated opponent who is trying to gain relevance by exploiting religion.
“For starters, this petition is built on gossip and personal bitterness. It does not deserve a response, but because of its attempt to mislead the public and divide the Church, we must set the records straight,” the statement said.
He questioned Waya’s sources, particularly for the allegations of financial misconduct, which relied on unverified online blogs like Zebra Reporters, rather than official records like Auditor-General reports or EFCC findings.
“Waya failed to mention any credible institution that has indicted the governor. His petition is hearsay dressed up as truth,” Alia said.
The governor’s spokesman dismissed Waya’s claims that the state had not witnessed any meaningful development, citing several completed and ongoing projects in Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo, and other LGAs.
“Salaries and pensions are paid regularly, civil servants receive welfare by the 25th of every month, hospitals are being rehabilitated, and schools are undergoing renovations. These are facts on the ground,” Alia stated.
He also cited ongoing partnerships with global development bodies like UNIDO, GIZ, and AFC as evidence of Benue’s progress under his leadership.
Alia further accused Waya of hypocrisy, pointing out that despite his wealth and political ambition, the APGA candidate had not invested in his home community of Mbakegh (Mbakena) in Mbayongo, Vandeikya LGA.
“The first motorized borehole in Waya’s ancestral home came just months ago through the state government,” Alia noted.
Alia strongly denied that there was any rift between his government and the Catholic Church, saying no bishop had issued any negative communiqué against him, nor had the Vatican made any pronouncement on the matter.
“Only a frustrated politician trying to divide the Church will create such a narrative. The Church remains a moral authority, not a tool for political manipulation,” he said.
He also rejected Waya’s claim that the pro-government slogan “No Alia, No Benue” was a sign of violence or militia activity, describing it as a peaceful political chant symbolizing grassroots support.
On the issue of anti-open grazing law, Alia clarified that the law remains in force and is being actively enforced.
“Linking communal violence or insecurity in parts of Benue to the governor is not only misleading, but also deeply insensitive to the victims of these attacks,” the statement added.
Governor Alia described Waya’s petition as a “smear campaign masked in religiosity” and said his administration remains focused on delivering good governance to the people of Benue State.
“This is nothing more than a defeated candidate’s cry for attention. We are delivering development, and that is why our opponents are unsettled. Smear campaigns have become their daily bread,” Alia said.
He urged the people of Benue to ignore distractions and continue to support his government’s efforts to rebuild the state and create lasting change.
“Dragging the Holy Father into Benue politics is desperation of the highest order,” the statement concluded.
