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From Fred Itua, Abuja
Convener of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Government Tompolo, has urged Benue residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, citing the establishment of the Nigerian Army’s 5 Division in Makurdi as evidence of his commitment to tackling insecurity in the state.
Governor Hyacinth Alia and former governor Gabriel Suswam also canvassed votes for the president, with Alia reporting the return of some displaced residents to their communities and Suswam urging Nigerians to support the administration despite economic hardship.
They spoke on Thursday in Makurdi during the inauguration of the movement’s Benue chapter and distribution of 25 campaign vehicles to its coordinators.
Tompolo, represented by Tantita Managing Director, Kestin Pondi, said Tinubu had demonstrated concern for the protection of lives and property in Benue.
He also cited the president’s push for state policing and local government autonomy, electricity reforms, petrol subsidy removal and the student loan programme administered by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“He is a president that wants Nigeria to be better than he met it. Tinubu is doing what no leader before him had the courage to do, even though he knew it would turn the people against him,” he said.
Tompolo argued that the development achieved by some Asian countries followed years of sustained reforms under leaders willing to take difficult decisions.
“They had bold leaders, they had courageous leaders who said we must reform, and they stood by those reforms. Today, they are the envy of the world,” he said.
Alia said the army division had brought additional military deployments to troubled communities and border areas, encouraging some internally displaced persons to return home voluntarily and resume farming.
He credited Tinubu’s support with enabling his administration to deliver projects and programmes, including roads, factories, free basic education, mechanised agriculture and improved health facilities.
“Each time you thank me for working for Benue people, that is the man behind it,” he said, urging residents to campaign and vote for the president.
Suswam acknowledged that Nigerians were experiencing hardship but argued that the reforms would benefit younger generations.
“Yes, there’s suffering now, but there’s no way you can build a future without experiencing some pains. You’re experiencing some hardship, but tomorrow will be better.
“We are suffering today because those steps were not taken by previous administrations. So, if you have a leader that is taking steps towards building a Nigeria for the future, he deserves support,” he said.
Earlier, the movement’s National Coordinator, Sunday Asuku, urged voters to assess the records of those seeking their support, criticising politicians who previously advocated subsidy removal but opposed its implementation.
“Ask them what they did when they were in office. A vote for Tinubu is a vote for NELFUND, improved security and better infrastructure,” he said.
