Chief Michael Oglegba, the Benue State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, has publicly decried the increasing toxicity within the political landscape of the Benue Zone C senatorial district. Speaking at a recent reception held in his honour in Abuja, the Commissioner called for fervent prayers to help navigate what he described as growing political hostility and organised propaganda against the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
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Defending the Administration’s Record
Despite the challenges, Chief Oglegba used the platform to defend the Governor’s governance style. He characterised Governor Alia as a disciplined leader committed to systemic change, particularly in fiscal management.
A central highlight of his address was the administration’s progress in pension and gratuity payments. Oglegba noted that under the current government, retirees receive their full gratuity in the same month they leave service, eliminating the historical backlog that previously plagued the state.
“There’s no state in this country where, after you retire, they pay you 100% of your gratuity that same month,” Oglegba remarked, emphasising that the days of civil servants waiting years to be captured in the pension system is about to come to an end.
The Commissioner also credited the administration with driving significant infrastructural and industrial growth, citing the revitalisation of the Benue fertiliser production facilities, among others.
A Call for “The Right Politics”
Addressing criticisms that Governor Alia is “not a politician,” Oglegba challenged the conventional definition of the term. He argued that if traditional politics has failed to move Nigeria forward, then a different approach—one focused on effective policy—is precisely what the state and country need.
Community Reception and Recognition
The reception, hosted by Engineer Raphael Idoko, brought together former classmates from the 1987 set of the Mt. Gabriel’s Secondary School, Makurdi, alongside political associates and community leaders.
Fellow attendees lauded Oglegba for his transition from a successful industrialist to a public servant.
Watch full broadcast on our YouTube channel.
