The Benue State Government has dismissed allegations made by former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, against Governor Hyacinth Alia, describing them as a “cocktail of conspiracy theories, unfounded accusations, outright falsehoods and reckless claims.”

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, the government faulted remarks allegedly made by Dajoh during his 50th birthday celebration held in Mbatiav, Gboko Local Government Area.

According to the statement, Dajoh attempted to blame his resignation as Speaker on Governor Alia, an accusation the government described as baseless and politically motivated.

“It takes an intelligent liar to fabricate tales that can at least bear the semblance of a verifiable story. Unfortunately, it is now clear that the former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh is not an intelligent fabricator,” the statement read.

The government accused the former Speaker of using his birthday celebration as an avenue for “political bitterness, vendetta and apparent attempt to manipulate public opinion,” instead of reflection and gratitude.

Kula said Dajoh’s allegations raised serious concerns about his understanding of the constitutional powers of the Benue State House of Assembly.

The government particularly denied claims that Governor Alia wrote to Dajoh requesting the relocation of the Tor Tiv Palace from Gboko to Ihugh.

“To start with, the claim that Governor Hyacinth Alia wrote to him asking him to relocate the Palace of the Tor Tiv from Gboko to Ihugh is entirely blatant falsehood, baseless and imaginary,” the statement added.

The government challenged Dajoh to produce the alleged correspondence, insisting that any official communication from the Executive to the Assembly ought to have been read on the floor of the House in line with legislative procedure.

It further argued that the state assembly lacked constitutional powers to relocate the headquarters of a traditional institution such as the Tor Tiv Palace.

On Dajoh’s allegation that he was given N200 million to facilitate the removal of the state Chief Judge, the government demanded clarification on the whereabouts of the alleged funds and the identities of those who allegedly benefited from the money.

“Consequently, Dajoh now owes Benue people a clear explanation on where he took the money to, and who were the beneficiaries of the ‘bribe’ money?” the statement queried.

The government also dismissed Dajoh’s claims regarding the Wurukum–Renewed Hope Estate road project, insisting that Governor Alia had remained transparent in the execution of projects across the state.

According to the statement, the project in question was not the Wurukum–Airforce Base road as allegedly claimed by Dajoh, but the Wurukum–Renewed Hope Estate road located after Angbaaye village towards Abinsi.

The government explained that the road, being a federal highway, was approved to meet federal construction standards and would include a dual carriageway up to Angbaaye as well as a five-span bridge at River Mu.

“Governor Alia sought and got approval from the federal government to undertake the reconstruction of the road for the good of the people of the state,” the statement noted.

The statement concluded by urging Dajoh to focus on integrity and service rather than what it described as “miserable attempts to pontificate or grandstand after leaving office.”

The statement was signed by Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia.