Gov. Hyacinth Alia has vowed that no part of Benue State will be surrendered to herders, assuring residents that his administration will defeat insecurity and protect their ancestral lands.
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 administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while commending President Bola Tinubu for strengthening Benue’s security architecture.
He particularly acknowledged the establishment and siting of the Nigerian Army 5 Division in the state as part of efforts to improve security.
Alia also assured traditional rulers of 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, resuscitation of the waterworks and increased opportunities for Sankera indigenes in government appointments.
In Kwande and Jechira, Alia separately engaged traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders, urging them to sustain unity and cooperation for the development of the state.
He commended traditional and religious leaders for their roles in maintaining peace and promoting peaceful coexistence, urging them to continue supporting unity among the people.
At the political stakeholders’ town hall, the governor urged leaders to put the interest of Benue above personal differences and work collectively to sustain the progress recorded by his administration.
Former Gov. Gabriel Suswam, who accompanied Alia to Sankera, commended the administration’s performance, particularly its ongoing infrastructural projects.
Suswam expressed the support of Sankera people for the re-election of Alia and Tinubu, urging stakeholders to sustain unity and cooperation.
The member representing Sankera Federal Constituency, Mr Solomon Wombo, also called for political unity and grassroots mobilisation in support of the administration.
The APC State Chairman, Mr Benjamin Omale, thanked stakeholders across Sankera, Kwande and Jechira for their support and urged them to sustain it ahead of the 2027 elections.
An APC leader in Kwande, Mr Moses Ternenge, also expressed support for Alia, Tinubu and the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
