Alia: I Will Never Cede Any Part of Benue to Herders

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Governor of Benue State, 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 tour is aimed at appreciating the people of Benue for their support for his administration and providing an opportunity 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 administration’s determination to protect the lives, property and ancestral lands of the people.
Governor Alia also 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.
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, presented some of the people’s demands, including restoration of absolute peace in the axis, resuscitation of the waterworks serving the area and increased opportunities for Sankera indigenes in government appointments. He also assured 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. He called on the people of Sankera to sustain their support for him and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Torwua 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.
The governor thereafter proceeded to Jechira Federal Constituency, where he was received by traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders and other stakeholders before holding separate engagements with the various groups.
While addressing the traditional rulers, Alia recognised their contribution to preserving peace, resolving disputes and strengthening grassroots development, assuring them of continued collaboration between the traditional institution and government.
At his meeting with religious leaders, the governor appreciated their role in promoting peace, responsible citizenship and peaceful coexistence, urging them to continue preaching unity and tolerance among the people.
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 and cooperation of all citizens.
The State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale, thanked the people of Sankera, Kwande and Jechira for their unwavering support for the party and the administration of Governor Alia, urging them to sustain the support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dr. Omale said the continued support of the people would enable the APC to secure victory in 2027 and consolidate the gains already recorded under the Alia administration, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security and economic development.
The opening day of the Thank-You Tour provided a broad platform for consultation between the governor and stakeholders across the three federal constituencies, allowing the people to present their concerns, assess government policies and programmes, and reaffirm their commitment to the administration’s development agenda.
However, the most striking message from the opening day was Alia’s unequivocal declaration that no part of Benue would be surrendered to herders, placing the protection of the state’s territory, people and ancestral lands at the centre of his administration’s security agenda.
The APC State Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe, said the five-day tour, which covers all 11 federal constituencies in the state, continues today with engagements in Buruku and Gboko Federal Constituencies as Governor Alia sustains his direct consultations with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders and grassroots communities across Benue to strengthen governance.