Governor Hyacinth Alia has assured residents that his administration will not give up any part of Benue State to herders, pledging to protect ancestral lands and tackle insecurity.
Alia made the declaration on Monday while addressing stakeholders from the Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo and Kwande/Ushongo Jechira federal constituencies during his statewide thank-you tour.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to protecting lives and property, while commending President Bola Tinubu for strengthening Benue’s security architecture.
He specifically acknowledged the establishment of the Nigerian Army 5 Division in the state, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to improve security.
Alia also assured traditional rulers of his administration’s continued partnership in maintaining peace, resolving disputes and mobilising communities for development.
During the engagement in Sankera, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, elected representatives and other community leaders met with the governor.
The Tor Sankera, HRH David Sevav, appealed for the restoration of peace, revival of the waterworks and greater opportunities for Sankera indigenes in government appointments.
In Kwande, Alia separately met with traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders, urging them to maintain unity and cooperation for the development of the state.
He praised the traditional institution for its contribution to peacebuilding and conflict resolution, while also appreciating religious leaders for promoting peaceful coexistence.
At the political stakeholders’ town hall, the governor urged leaders to place the interests of Benue above personal differences and work together to sustain the achievements of his administration.
In Jechira, Alia held similar meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders, stressing the importance of unity, discipline and collective involvement in the state’s development.
Former Governor Gabriel Suswam, who accompanied Alia to Sankera, commended the administration’s performance, particularly its infrastructure projects.
Suswam also expressed the support of Sankera residents for the re-election of Alia and Tinubu, calling on stakeholders to maintain unity and cooperation.
The member representing Sankera Federal Constituency, Solomon Wombo, equally appealed for political unity and grassroots mobilisation in support of the administration.
APC State Chairman Benjamin Omale thanked stakeholders across Sankera, Kwande and Jechira for their support and urged them to maintain it ahead of the 2027 elections.
An APC leader in Kwande, Moses Ternenge, also declared support for Alia, Tinubu and the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
