Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has won a vote of confidence and strong backing to counter planned protest against him.
Conference of Harmonised Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that passed the confidence vote and the backing had alleged plans by Abuja-based political bigwigs from the state to sponsor protests against the governor.
The coalition in a statement by Mr. Joseph Uyeh, stressed that the people have confidence in the administration, claiming that the Governor’s refusal to allow them have a free hand to swindle the state as reason for sponsoring attacks against his administration.
The group argued that Governor Alia has made impressive progress in the area of governance by shifting from the traditional money-sharing and political patronage of godfathers that once characterised politics in the state over the years.
While stating that Benue State has never been in better hands since the administration of Apollos Aper Aku, the group noted that those planning to protest against the Governor in Abuja should be wary of the dire consequences that lies ahead for them.
“If the Governor was doing so badly and they had the support of Benue people, why are they not protesting against him in Benue State?
“To describe a state whose Governor has earned diamonds on salary and pensions, built new cottage and revived industries and undertaken major infrastructural projects across its length and breath in less than 2 years as a pit of darkness is highly condemnable and malicious,” the group noted.
“What exactly are the indices of development if not the welfare of the masses and the development of core infrastructure? The Governor is performing optimally and should not be distracted by sponsored goons who masquerade as architects of good governance.
“Indeed, the Governor of Benue State has never been a man to lose sleep over the rantings of political failures who desperately try to stay relevant. We commend him for his focus, dedication and stewardship to the Benue people. The governors refusal to bend to the antics of blackmailers is the only reason this evil tirade against his administration must be sustained,” the group noted.
Counting Governor Alia out of sponsorship of thuggery in the state, the coalition stressed that he is not expected to look away when a judicial officer, his appointees or any Nigerian undermine his administration without pursuing all legal avenues to bring order and stability in the system.