From Scholastica Onyeka Makurdi
The governor- election in Benue state, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has described his election as a remarkable and historic victory saying it belongs to the Benue people who yearned for change.
Alia stated this in his victory speech after he was declared the winner of the last Saturday Governorship election in the state.
Speaking to newsmen at his Makurdi residence, amidst a crowd of supporters, Alia said “my dear people, this victory belongs to you. It belongs to all of you who thirst for the dividends of democracy. And by this victory, the liberation we have all yearned for is at hand. Change is coming to Benue State,” he said.
Recall that Alia had polled a total of 473,933 votes to defeat his closest rival, Titus Uba from the PDP who polled 223,913 votes. Alia won with a margin of 250,020 votes.
The cleric who said he was aware of the enormous privilege and honour it is to be trusted with the government of the state said “God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
“I may not be the most qualified Benue son to lead the State at this time but the Good Lord who has called me will qualify me.”
He promised to fulfil his campaign promises saying, “We will clear the backlog of arrears of salaries, and pensions and gratuities, resettle our IDPs in their ancestral homes, address persistent insecurity challenges and set the stage for a prosperous Benue.”
He congratulated his opponents from the other parties for making election an interesting contest saying the anxious period of politicking is over and it was time to unite and face the challenges of development.
“Our State, Benue, needs a total reset. Governance in our state has hit a historic low. This election is a mandate to reform and recalibrate governance in Benue.
“We need all hands, all good and ready hands, to be on deck. We need men and women whom
the spoils of office cannot buy. We need all who believe that a new Benue is possible.”
He also appreciated the Leader of the APC in the state, Senator George Akume, the State Working Committee led by Austin Agada, Director General of his campaign, Rev. Frederick Ikyaan, as well as the other organs and critical stakeholders of the party for their resilience and resourcefulness.
He assured that with the friendship and support of his running mate, Mr Sam Ode, together, they would return Benue to its lost glory.