The Acting Chairman of the Benue State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, has dispelled rumours and claims in some quarters that the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, was at rift with the APC structure in the state. He stated that at no time had Father Alia had issues with the state party structure, adding that the governor had only respected the rule of law and honoured the action of a legitimate party organ, being the Ward Executive Committee of the former Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Augustine Agada, which suspended Agada for engaging in anti-party activities during the last general elections.

Speaking at the Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Benue State Chapter of the APC held two days ago at the Lawn Tennis Court, Government House, Makurdi; Hon. Omakolo further appealed to all the leaders and stakeholders of the APC in Benue State to come together and join hands with Governor Alia in order to rebuild the party and advance Benue State; noting that it was idle-minded, mischievous or misguided individuals that created and are spreading the false and misleading narrative that Father Alia and the APC structure in Benue State were working at cross-purposes, with the aim of pitching the leaders of the party against themselves.

Hon. Omakolo, who earlier stated that the gathering was the first expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the Benue State APC to be convened since he assumed the mantle of leadership of the party in the state a few months ago, took the opportunity to appreciate all the members and stakeholders of the party in the state for their unwavering support for his leadership, adding that their immense support had been imperative to the consolidation of his leadership. “Furthermore, this gathering provides us a congenial atmosphere to reason together, to critically appraise our journey so far, and to realign with our vision towards attaining our set goals,” stated Hon. Omakolo.

Further in his address, Hon. Omakolo noted that the emergence of a new leadership in the party in the state was necessitated by the pursuit of justice and equity, urging that these tenets should continue to bind the party membership together as they fashion the way forward for the party. He added that currently, many APC members were misled, and others misinformed, about the true state of affairs in the party in the state; hence, the urgent need for concerted efforts to keep them abreast of the true state of affairs with the view to bringing them back into the fold.

“Governor Alia simply adhered to the party constitution and allowed the emergence of a new chairman to fill the vacuum left by the former chairman. Let us bear in mind that the preeminent goal of a political party is to capture power through democratic elections. All political activities are geared towards the attainment of this goal; hence, we should come together and brace ourselves for the challenges that will be coming up in the coming months and years,” stated Omakolo.

While appealing for the contribution of all APC members at all levels in the state towards rebuilding the party, Hon. Omakolo thanked all delegates from the party wards and assured them that the state party leadership and the Father Alia Administration will connect with, and work with them in every nook and cranny of the state towards dismantling the barriers created by the past leadership of the party in the state; vis-à-vis antiparty activity, bullying, arbitrary suspensions, and recognition of imposters as ward leaders in place of genuine party EXCO members, amongst others.

“I would also like to thank the party’s critical stakeholders for being steadfast in their support for the party and the administration of Rev. Fr. Alia. In the current circumstance, the party needs to stand united and build a common front that would work with unity of purpose to deliver good governance and better the lot of the people of Benue State,” stated Hon. Omakolo.

On the oncoming local government election in the state, Hon. Omakolo reiterated the party’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all aspirants, while respecting the established unwritten zoning order in the LGAs. “ That said, the need to
expand the political space, increase participation, and strengthen party unity and the bond between party members may necessitate the party’s soft-pedalling on micro zoning,“ he revealed. Speaking further, Hon. Omakolo said the APC shall respect the aspiration of communities to participate in governance, especially at the local level; hence every zone/district will have the chance to produce candidates to fill various offices at the local level. He stressed the need to expand the political space, increase participation, and strengthen party unity and the bond between members.

Declaring his 100% loyalty to Governor Alia, Hon. Omakolo noted that the manifesto of the party and that of its gubernatorial candidate were inseparable. He opined that the candidate usually aligns his vision with the manifesto of the party, so in the event that he wins, the party will provide the structural support for the success of the administration, to enable the governor deliver effectively on his campaign promises to the people.

“The party structure is essential in ensuring that the social welfare packages and other palliatives released by the state government percolate to all intended beneficiaries at the grassroots. Consequently, it is absolutely necessary for the party to give total loyalty and support to our governor, so that we can achieve the set agenda of the state government. We do recognize the fact that a ruling party is usually attached to the apron strings of the administration it produces. A responsible party does not form parallel structures to that of the administration it produces,” stated Omakolo.

Noting that even airplanes face turbulence on take-off before they reach cruising altitude and enjoy a smooth flight, Hon. Omakolo stated that in the last one year, the Alia Administration had faced great crises, perhaps more than previous administrations in the state since 1999. But, despite these upheavals, the current governor has outperformed all his predecessors in the period under consideration. Omakolo added that Father Alia had charted a new course for the development of Benue State, and is even poised to surpass the record of the golden eras of Chief Aper Aku and Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu.

“No doubt, Benue State is witnessing a revival. Governor Alia’s performance will determine the party’s fortunes in future elections starting with the forthcoming LGA elections. His success will rebuild confidence in the party and earn the trust of the electorate. It will enhance and transform the political fortunes of many of us in this gathering. We must therefore stand by him and ensure that we give him all the support he needs to accomplish his goals in tandem with the party’s constitution,” stated Omakolo.

Speaking at the occasion, the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, stated that the party in the state remains united under the leadership of the acting state chairman, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, and is on the right track to develop Benue, warning those trying to destabilize the state with divisive comments to stay clear as he will not allow anyone to destabilize the government, including those who served the state in the past.

He also enumerated the efforts and achievements of his administration thus far towards ushering a new lease of life to the Benue people and the advancement of the state, while assuring the gathering that nothing is going to distract him from his course; as he will remain focused on his leadership mission until Benue is finally brought out of the woods.

The Governor further stated that the Benue State Government will launch its own local security outfit that will consist of ten thousand youths before the end of May, 2024, to complement the efforts of the other security agencies in tackling security challenges bedeviling the state. While appreciating the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies in securing the country and the state, Governor Alia said the launch of the State owned security outfit will aid in securing Benue communities, enabling farmers to access their farm lands without fear.

Furthermore, Father Alia said his administration is already working towards procuring Hilux vans and motorcycles that will be used by the new security outfit to access the nooks and crannies of the state.

The Governor the stakeholders meeting had become necessary to enable him brief the members of the party about the plans the government has in place to arrest the security challenge in the state, adding that the government had written to the Commissioner of Police, intimating him of the necessity and urgency of the meeting, and the commissioner granted permission for the meeting before it was convened, considering that the ban on political gatherings is still in force in the state.

Father Alia further informed the part stakeholders that some enemies of the state had gone to invite unknown gunmen to come into Benue and destabilize its peace, but that the government had been able to push the invaders back to where they came from, and will continue to do so until they are all gone, to enable the farmers return to farm to ensure food security for the state.

He explained however, that some local government areas such as Kwande, Ukum, Logo, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Apa, Agatu, were still affected by the attacks, but that the state government will not rest on its oars until the state becomes much safer.

Enumerating some of his achievements in office, the governor said his administration has made tremendous efforts in almost all the sectors, including the construction of rural and urban roads, assuring that he will do more to make Benue a greater state.

He added that even though the government has made a lot of impact in the Health sector, with the recruitment of over 400 Specialists and non Specialists Staff at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, it still intends to revamp both the primary and secondary healthcare systems across the state, adding that the School of Nursing will also be re-opened, with the government paying half of the tuition fees for students of Benue indigenes who will be returning back there to study.

The governor also spoke about his administration’s plan to reintroduce the state scholarship scheme to eligible students of the state, and to encourage skill acquisition programmes and the study of science-related courses for the youths.

While appreciating the federal government for the award of the Overpass at Wurukum roundabout, the governor said over 50 other road networks have also been awarded by the state government across the state, and are to be completed within 12 months.

He said although some people are not happy that his administration is doing things differently from the past, he will continue to ensure that the right thing is done, for the overall good of the state.

Governor Alia appreciated the stakeholders and the entire leadership of the party for always supporting his administration, while calling on the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) to fast-track the process for the conduct of the local government elections in the state.

Also present at the occasion were the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Sam Ode; the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Lami Danladi; former Senate President, Sen. Ameh Ebute; Chief Barnabas Gemade; Sen. Joseph Akaargege; General Jonathan India Garba; Honourable Commissioners; LGAs Caretaker Committee Chairmen and several other APC chieftains in the state.