By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has vowed that his administration will not cede any part of the state to herders, assuring residents that his government will continue to protect the state’s territorial integrity and defeat insecurity.
Alia made the declaration on Monday while addressing stakeholders from Sankera, Kwande and Jechira Federal Constituencies at the commencement of his five-day statewide Thank-You Tour.
The tour is designed to appreciate the people for their support for his administration while providing a platform for direct engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders and communities across the state.
“Benue will defeat insecurity. I will never cede any part of Benue land to herdsmen,” the governor declared, reaffirming his commitment to protecting the lives, property and ancestral lands of Benue people.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening the state’s security architecture, particularly through the establishment and siting of the Nigerian Army 5 Division in Benue.
In Sankera Federal Constituency, the governor was received by local government council chairmen, traditional rulers, religious and political leaders, elected representatives, political appointees and other stakeholders.
Addressing traditional rulers, Alia acknowledged their important role in maintaining peace, protecting their communities and mobilising residents for development. He assured them of his administration’s continued partnership with the traditional institution.
The Tor Sankera, His Royal Highness David Sevav, presented some of the demands of the people, including the restoration of peace in the area, rehabilitation of the waterworks serving the axis and increased opportunities for Sankera indigenes in government appointments.
He also assured the governor of the continued support of the people for his administration.
At a meeting with political stakeholders, Alia highlighted some of the achievements of his administration and reiterated his commitment to people-oriented development.
He urged the people of Sankera to sustain their support for his administration and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Former Governor of Benue State and Senator representing Benue North-East, Gabriel Torwua Suswam, who accompanied the governor, commended the Alia administration for its performance.
Suswam expressed confidence that the ongoing infrastructural projects would extend development to more communities and improve the living conditions of residents.
He also expressed the support of the people of Sankera for the re-election of Governor Alia and President Tinubu in 2027, urging stakeholders to maintain unity and cooperation.
The member representing Sankera Federal Constituency, Hon. Prince Solomon Wombo, also called for political unity, grassroots mobilisation and sustained support for the administration.
From Sankera, the governor proceeded to Kwande Federal Constituency, where he held separate meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders.
Alia commended traditional rulers in the area for their role in peacebuilding, dispute resolution and grassroots leadership, assuring them of continued government collaboration.
He also appreciated religious leaders for their contributions to peacebuilding, moral guidance and peaceful coexistence, urging them to continue promoting unity and stability.
At the political stakeholders’ town hall meeting, the governor called for unity and collective commitment to the development of Benue, urging political leaders to place the interests of the state above personal differences.
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 for Alia, Tinubu and the party’s candidates in 2027.
The governor subsequently proceeded to Jechira Federal Constituency, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders and other stakeholders.
He recognised the traditional institution’s contribution to peace, dispute resolution and grassroots development, while assuring the rulers of continued cooperation with government.
The governor similarly appreciated religious leaders for promoting peace, responsible citizenship and peaceful coexistence, urging them to continue preaching unity and tolerance.
Addressing political stakeholders, Alia called for unity, discipline and collective support for his administration’s development agenda, stressing that the transformation of Benue required the active participation of all citizens.
The state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale, thanked residents of Sankera, Kwande and Jechira for their support for the party and the Alia administration.
Omale urged them to sustain the support ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying their backing would enable the APC to consolidate gains recorded in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security and economic development.
The first day of the tour provided an opportunity for stakeholders across the three federal constituencies to interact directly with the governor, raise concerns, assess government programmes and reaffirm their commitment to the administration.
However, Alia’s strongest message was his categorical rejection of any proposal to surrender any part of Benue territory to herders, placing the protection of the state’s land, people and ancestral heritage at the centre of his security agenda.
The five-day statewide tour, covering all 11 federal constituencies, continues today with engagements in Buruku and Gboko Federal Constituencies.
