We can’t pretend there’s no rift between us, Gov Alia – Rep Agbese

Chief Phillip Agbese representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency at the House of Representatives has confirmed a rift between the Benue caucus at the National Assembly and their state governor, Hyacinth Alia.

Agbese disclosed this on Friday while fielding questions from journalists in Makurdi, stressing that the disagreement between the federal lawmakers of Benue origin and Governor Alia was based on his failure to fulfill campaign promises to the electorate.

He said, “Yes, there is a rift. If this disagreement between us and the governor on policy issues and party manifestoes does not in any way suggest that there is a rift, then I wonder what is rift. But if I still understand English, there is a major disagreement between us and the governor, which he is very much aware of but has continued to pretend over the issue.

“We cannot continue to pretend. The fundamental question anybody will ask Father Alia is which part of the state he campaigned for governorship that we did not go with him as those who wanted to represent their people. I followed him to Ado and I know what I said to my people to present him to them. I followed him to Okpokwu and Ogbadigbo and I know what I told the people.”

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He said people in Ado, Ogbadigbo and Vandekya had not felt the impact of the administration.

But reacting to Agbese’s claims, the spokesman of the governor, Tersoo Kula, contended that his principal had demystified governance in the state when compared to past administrations, with his achievements in all sectors.