By Emmanuel Bem
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria has witnessed uninterrupted democratically elected governments for 26 years.
The country’s democratic experience may not be what it is supposed to be, but it is still better than a military government. This agrees with former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s popular saying that the worst form of democracy is better than the best military government.
The democratic gains vary from one state to another. The people of Benue have also enjoyed different kinds of dividends of democracy during the longest period that the country has been under civil rule since its independence in 1960.
During the period, four governors have led the North Central Nigerian state, blessed with a fertile land that produces agricultural products in abundance.
Three of the governors successfully completed two terms of eight years, except the incumbent, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, who is just two years and four months into his first tenure.
Alia’s predecessors weathered the storms and served out the two terms allowed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Like those who led before him, the governor’s return in 2027 is a contest, as he is being challenged by interested contenders even within his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Many indicated interest to vie for the number one job in the Food Basket of the Nation.
According to onlookers, among those who have governed the state since the return of democracy in 1999, Gov. Alia stands out as the man with the least political experience, yet his performance within the period he has been in the saddle is nothing short of exemplary.
It is on record that on the 29th May, 2023, Alia, in his inaugural speech, sent a precise message to the Benue people. He told the crowd that he knew their challenges and had come to relieve them of their burden.
“We campaigned on the promise of the seven pillars of our campaign document: a strategic development plan for a greater Benue.
“My fellow Benue citizens, these seven pillars represent a social contract between our government and your good selves. On these promises, we shall be held to account.
“You hired us with your votes to deliver on these promises. We will do everything in our power to fulfil our side of the contract,” said Alia.
Mr Samson Igoche, a political analyst, observed that as a Catholic priest of over 35 years, Alia never got involved in partisan politics until 2023, when he contested and won the governorship position.
Igoche said that before his transition into politics, the current number one citizen of Benue was among the most popular Catholic priests in the state. He was known and celebrated for his healing powers and organisation of crusades.
The analyst stated that the governor successfully brought his calling as a priest and his training as a theologian and a philosopher to bear on the governance of the state.
“Those who were initially averse to Alia’s policies, programmes and unique style of governance have realised and are gradually closing ranks with him.
“He smartly offered an olive branch to them through his outstanding performance, and they are rushing back so that they will not be on the wrong side of history,” he said.
The support for Alia’s reelection bid keeps growing as people who were hitherto in other opposing camps are joining forces with the governor to ensure that he returns to Government House in 2027.
Prominent among such figures who pledged to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the reverend gentleman leads Benue beyond 2027 is the former speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Dr Terhemen Tarzoor, who is the ex-Nigerian ambassador to Namibia.
Tarzoor said at a media briefing that he has decided to support Alia for a second term because of the visible transformation going on across Benue.
The 2015 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue said the governor was implementing the same vision he had when he vied for the position.
He said though his aspiration to govern the state did not materialise, he always believed that God’s plans were supreme, purposeful, and ultimately perfect at all times.
“Each time I visit our beloved state, I am inspired by the visible transformation taking place, from the remarkable urban renewal of our capital city to the spread of development projects across our rural communities.
“The renewed hope, the smiles, and the palpable satisfaction among our people speak volumes of a government working with sincerity, accountability, and a clear sense of purpose,” he said.
Tarzoor said he was convinced that Alia was leading the state with integrity, discipline, and genuine commitment to service.
He pointed out that the governor’s humility in leadership, results-orientated focus, and devotion to the welfare of Benue people deeply resonate with the ideals he had always cherished for the state.
He added that the governor’s emergence and performance have reawakened the ideals of purposeful leadership and inspired a new generation of Benue youths to once again believe in the promise of selfless public service.
“For these reasons, I wish to express my profound appreciation to Governor Hyacinth Alia for his exemplary stewardship and to affirm my total and unwavering support for his administration.
“I am particularly impressed by his massive qualitative infrastructural strides and his prudent management of state affairs.
“It is evident in the diversification of the economy towards industrialisation, human capital development, and his steadfast commitment to the welfare of workers.
“In light of these achievements, I wholeheartedly endorse Alia for a second term as Governor of Benue.
“I am committed to standing with him, lending my voice, resources, and every possible support to ensure that the progress we are witnessing is sustained and expanded for the greater good of all,” he said.
Like Tarzoor, the 2011 Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Prof. Stephen Ugba emphasised that Alia succeeded in unlocking Benue’s potentials to the world.
Ugba, a member of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission, stated that all well-meaning Benue citizens would leave no stone unturned for the governor to get another term.
The former governorship candidate emphasised that the Alia administration opened new vistas in the history of the state, one written in the ink of progress, purpose, and integrity.
“From this day forward, I pledge to stand firmly with this administration, offering every support within my capacity to ensure the success and continuity of its noble vision.
“I am deeply persuaded that under Alia’s guidance, Benue is on the path of genuine transformation, one that will define our history and shape a brighter, more prosperous future for generations to come,” he said.
Another APC chieftain, Prof. Kohol Iornem, has attributed the mass defections to the party in the state to the achievements of Fr Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State, in “a short time”.
Iornem said before the coming into office of Alia, Benue was on a treadmill of activity without productivity.
“The main reason for the mass defection is that they have seen hope for a better Benue due to Governor Alia’s human and infrastructural development strides.
“Alia has achieved so much in such a short time. Before now, Benue was on a treadmill of activity without productivity. Alia’s work speaks for itself.
“I’m not sure why it took them so long. I declared my support for the governor one year after he assumed office. I saw that he meant business,” Prof. Iornem stated.
It is stating the obvious that those who never gave Alia a second chance have realised that he is not a pushover.
A masterstroke of the growing political dexterity and foray into other camps is the recent “Evening of Fellowship and Dialogue”, where he invited party leaders across political parties in the state to a dinner.
The dinner was a tour de force in leadership consolidation, political strategy, and bridge-building.
During the event many party leaders from the PDP and African Democratic Congress (ADC) announced their defection into the APC.
The new entrants and/or returnees attributed their decision to join the APC to the governor’s overwhelming achievements.
A member of the 10th Rep. Ojotu (PDP, Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency) was a prominent opposition figure that renounced the membership party and joined the crusade for Alia’s return.
Former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr Paul Orhii, who also vied for the governorship in 2011, has joined the ‘Yes Father’ team.
