By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
With political alignments and realignments ahead 2027 general elections, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has insisted that he would not dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for any other party.
Reacting to rumours that he was contemplating jettisoning APC, the party that brought him to power, for the opposition Social Democratic Party (PDP) alongside former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, the governor described it as another round of misinformation.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Tersoo Kula on Wednesday, March 12, said the claim was absolutely gratuitous and lacks any trustworthy evidence.
The statement said: “In an attempt to supply credence to their soaring fictions, these detractors have resorted to recycling an innocuous picture from an old visit, which has been manipulated to complete their account.
“This is after they, through their infamous hirelings, viciously speculated that the former Gov. of Kaduna State visited Gov. Alia in Makurdi. They forgot that official security reports follow such visits.”
The governor’s spokesman also noted that politicians in Abuja who are always prompted by “their own self-serving agendas, are once again enlisting in their customary ploys, making persuasive attempts to sow discord between Governor Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“These actions do not only wholly miss the mark; but they also portray a significant lack of awareness regarding the substantial bond between the Governor and the President.”
The statement emphasized that Gov. Alia is the leader of APC in Benue State and has successfully resurrected the party which was “on the threshold of recession” prior to the 2019 elections.
Alia’s laudable performances in office have not solely enhanced the APC, but further forced opposition parties into refuge, the statement added.
“It is an established fact that a wise individual builds a strong foundation and does not solicit shelter under another’s roof. And since taking over office, Governor Alia has striven faithfully to reconnect Benue State with the Federal Government, culminating in an overabundance of benefits comprising plum appointments for our people,” the statement noted.
The governor’s spokesman pointed out that Alia’s commitment to Tinubu’s Renewed Hope mantra was conspicuous in the transformational advancement initiatives being implemented across the state.
“We wish to encourage the people of Benue that Governor Alia remains unyielding and indomitable by these unfounded falsehoods. Attempts to undermine his leadership are not only entirely worthless, but also manifest a lack of integrity on the part of those perpetuating such lies,” the statement said.
It urged the public to remain observant and overlook any information that lacks substantiation even as Gov. Alia was committed to serving communities in the state with transparency, allegiance, and unswerving resolve.
