It has become necessary to correct certain misleading claims currently circulating in the public domain regarding the Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government, Engr. Sunny Oche, in relation to the ongoing verification exercise conducted by the Benue State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee on Local Government finances and administration.
The publication in question deliberately created the false impression that the Chairman of Ado Local Government failed to honour an invitation by the House Committee and that such absence was connected to allegations of misconduct. This narrative is entirely false, misleading, and intended to misinform the public.
For the avoidance of doubt, the letter dated 13th April, 2026, with Reference No. BN/HOA/OFF/130/II/51, was addressed to the Chairman of ALGON, Benue State, requesting the submission and verification of financial and administrative records of all the 23 Local Government Councils covering the period from October 2024 to March 2026. The exercise was specifically structured for the Directors of General Services and Administration (DGSAs) and Treasurers of the various councils to present the required records and documentation before the committee.
It is important to state clearly that no Local Government Chairman among the 23 Local Government Councils personally appeared before the committee, nor did any Vice Chairman attend the exercise. Consequently, the attempt to single out Ado Local Government and its Chairman for criticism is unfair, misleading, and clearly aimed at creating unnecessary suspicion in the minds of the public.
Furthermore, at no point did the Ad-hoc Committee indict, investigate, or find the Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government guilty of fraud or any form of financial misconduct as falsely insinuated in the publication. The claims suggesting otherwise are baseless and unsupported by any official communication or report from the Benue State House of Assembly.
It is also important to note that credible indications suggest that the circulation of this misleading publication is not an isolated act, but part of a coordinated attempt by the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Lami Danladi Ogenyi whose associates including the immediate past Council Secretary, Monday Ikor, Daniel Unogwu Ajii (Boneface), Ochepa Obande Kuji and others, attempt to misinform the public and discredit the administration of the Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government.
Available information points to the involvement of the immediate past Council Secretary who pretends to have prior administrative and political exposure within the local government system and acting in concert with his external collaborators in a sustained effort to circulate false narratives across various online platforms. These activities appear to follow a pattern of coordinated dissemination, including repeated posting and sharing of similar content through interconnected channels.
We maintain that any deliberate attempt to weaponise misinformation against public institutions is deeply regrettable and undermines peace, trust, and good governance.
Public discourse on governance and accountability should be guided by facts, fairness, and responsible engagement rather than sensationalism, political bias, and deliberate distortion of facts. While constructive criticism remains an essential part of democracy, the deliberate spread of misinformation aimed at damaging reputations and misleading the public does not serve the interests of good governance or peaceful coexistence.
Despite distractions from politically motivated falsehoods, the administration of Engr. Sunny Oche remains focused on delivering effective leadership and people-oriented programmes across Ado Local Government. The administration remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of public resources in line with the mandate entrusted to it by the people.
We therefore urge members of the public to disregard the misleading publication and rely only on verified information from official channels of the Benue State House of Assembly and Ado Local Government Council. We also call on media practitioners, stakeholders, and political actors to uphold the principles of truth, professionalism, and responsible public communication in the collective interest of peace, development, and democratic progress.
The Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government remains open to every lawful and constitutional process of accountability and will continue to work diligently for the peace, unity, and development of Ado Local Government Area.
Signed,
Hon. Innocent Igelle cLMiH, mPPSN, MCAI
Principal Private Secretary to the Chairman; juliovirgo@gmail.com, 08065365371
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