From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Former Governorship aspirant on the platform of APC in the 2023 general elections in Benue state, Engr Barnabas Gemade has vowed that nobody will stop the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, from getting eight years tenure in office.
Senator Gemade stated this in Makurdi on Saturday at the Civic Grand reception to honour him and other prominent sons of the state appointed as board chairmen and members in the state.
Gemade wade was responding to what he described as murmurs from those he called detractors within the party saying the Governor would be shown out of office come 2007.
He said “Nobody whatsoever is going to stop Governor Alia from making eight years of governorship.”
“There are people in this state who try to stop people from being governors, there also other people who tried to stop governors from having a second term and there are people here who made sure that governors have a second term.
“So, those who try to make sure that governors don’t have a second term should know that we are always here who make sure that governors have a second term. And this particular governor deserves a second term more than anyone before him. And that is what is going to happen.”
While thanking the Concerned APC Youth Forum led by Terver Gbinda, for organizing the event, the APC chieftain appreciated President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia for appointing them to chair and be members of the boards.
Gemade who noted that in the past when Boards were being appointed, people skewed these boards appointments in a manner that was not very palatable, also appreciated the President for his timely intervention to prevent a skewed appointments in the tertiary institution board saying maybe the event would not have held in Benue.
He assured that the appointees would ensure that Benue receive its worth in all the places they are going to.
He appealed that “Young people should not despair, at least among us seven there is a young man so many more of you are going to come on this board.”
Also speaking, the guest speaker and a chieftain of the APC in the state, Barr Emmanuel Jime, stated that the people of the state are solidly behind Governor Hyacinth Alia and would ensure he makes it to Government House come 2027.
Jime who commended Governor Alia for his welfare package for the people of the state, especially in area of infrastructure development, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, prayed God to keep everyone alive to see 2027 so that detractors would watch the actions of the Benue people towards their govern.
Jime who spoke on “Benue’s Development Agenda” appreciated President Tinubu for honouring Benue with the appointments and called for continued collaboration between the federal and state government to advance speedy development of Benue and Nigeria at large.
Former Governor of Plateau state, Gen Lawrence Onoja, said “Alia has been given to us from the vineyard of the Lord.The job of the gov is a thankless job but Alia has started doing well. If you start paying salaries, you would have solved the problems of many families. In Zone C, Benue South, we have all endorsed Fr Alia for a second term and he is unstoppable.”
Chairman of the occasion, Engr Innocent Ikwumonu, called on the people of the state to continue to pray and be supportive of Governor Alia to continue the works he was doing.
Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving his nominees on the board of tertiary institutions.
He assured that the appointees are all credible men and would not disappoint him in their duties.