By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has vowed never to cede any part of the state to herders, declaring that his administration will defeat insecurity and protect the territorial integrity of Benue.
Governor Alia made the declaration while addressing stakeholders from Sankera, Kwande and Jechira Federal Constituencies on the opening day of his five-day statewide tour.
The Governor however commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening Benue’s security architecture, particularly through the establishment and siting of the Nigerian Army 5 Division in the state.
He said, “Benue will defeat insecurity. I will never cede or surrender any part of Benue land to herdsmen”.
In Sankera Federal Constituency, the governor and his entourage were received by local government council chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders, elected representatives, political appointees and other stakeholders.
At his meeting with traditional rulers, Alia acknowledged their critical role in maintaining peace, protecting their communities and mobilising the people for development, assuring them of his administration’s continued partnership.
The Tor Sankera, His Royal Highness David Sevav, used the occasion to present some of the people’s demands, including restoration of absolute peace in the axis, the resuscitation of the waterworks serving the area and increased opportunities for Sankera indigenes in government appointments, while assuring the governor of the people’s continued support.
At the political stakeholders’ meeting, Governor Alia highlighted some of the achievements recorded by his administration and reiterated his commitment to delivering people-oriented development across the state, calling on Sankera people to sustain the support for him and President Tinubu to secure victory in 2027.
Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, who accompanied the governor, commended the administration for its performance, expressing confidence that its ongoing infrastructural projects would extend development to more communities and improve the lives of the people.
Senator Suswam also expressed the support of the people of Sankera for the re-election of Governor Alia and President Tinubu in 2027, urging stakeholders to sustain the unity and cooperation required to consolidate the gains of the administration.
The member representing Sankera Federal Constituency, Hon. Prince Solomon Wombo, stressed the importance of political unity, grassroots mobilisation and sustained support for the administration, assuring the governor of the people’s backing for his re-election and President Tinubu’s return in 2027.
From Sankera, the governor proceeded to Kwande Federal Constituency, where he held separate engagements with traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders.
At the meeting with traditional rulers, Alia commended the traditional institution for its role in maintaining peace, resolving community disputes and providing effective grassroots leadership, assuring the rulers of his administration’s continued collaboration in addressing challenges confronting their communities.
He also engaged religious leaders, appreciating their contribution to peacebuilding, moral guidance and peaceful coexistence, and urged them to continue supporting efforts to promote unity and stability across the state.
At the political stakeholders’ Town Hall meeting, the governor called for unity and collective commitment to the development of Benue, urging political leaders to put the interests of the state above personal differences and work together to sustain the progress recorded by his administration.
A prominent APC leader in Kwande and Political Strategic Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Prince Moses Ternenge, expressed the support of the people of Kwande for Governor Alia, President Tinubu and the party’s candidates in 2027, while calling for continued unity behind the administration.
