Government officials have described Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia’s constituency tour and town hall meetings as both an appreciation to Benue people and a justification for his re-election in 2027.
Speaking during the tour of Gwer/Gwer West at Aliade on Wednesday, Dr. Shadrach Ukuma, Director General of the Bureau of Arts, Culture and Tourism, said the Governor’s decision to go round the state to say “thank you” reflects humility and a commitment to service. He likened it to the Tiv proverb that a child who thanks his mother for food deserves more.
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Chief Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, is indeed that proverbial Tiv child. If a child tells the mother thank you for the food she has given, definitely that child deserves more food,” Dr. Ukuma said.
He added that because the administration is delivering visible projects, the Governor deserves a second term to complete ongoing work. “Foremost amongst them is the urban infrastructure renewal that is going on on a scale that has never been seen before. This is a top priority for him. If he doesn’t get that chance to complete these projects, that may not be the priority of the next person,” he said.
Dr. Ukuma urged Benue people to take the message to the grassroots to ensure stability under the current leadership, noting that continuity will allow the next administration in 2031 to build on existing gains.
Also speaking, Dr. Philip Nongu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, described the tour as a “thank you visit” and commended the Governor for acknowledging the massive support he received at the polls.
“We have to appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, for finding time to say thank you for what they did for him. The man won election in this state massively. The best thing you would do to people, now that you want to come back for the second time, is to thank them and also encourage them to vote massively for the APC,” Dr. Nongu said.
The Permanent Secretary said the town hall meeting in his constituency showed the humility of the Governor and excited residents.
On what voters should watch out for ahead of the governorship election, Dr. Nongu said Governor Alia does not need a campaign because his performance speaks for itself. “To me, His Excellency, Governor Alia, is not contesting election with anybody. Because what he has done to the state is such that he doesn’t even need campaign. The people are seeing it for themselves, and so they appreciate him,” he said.
He encouraged Benue people to key into the APC and vote for Alia so that he will do more when he comes in for the second tenure.
