North-Central APC Forum reveals why it support Alia for a second term.

Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

In the midst of the political battle in the state after the governor and Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, squared off, the North-Central All Progressives Congress, or APC, Forum has backed Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for a second term in 2027.

The conflict between Alia and his predecessor, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Samuel Ortom, is adding to the state’s political instability.

After examining the governor of Benue State’s ongoing infrastructure projects and other achievements, the North-Central APC Forum supported Alia for a second term.

Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the chairman of the APC Forum, made the announcement in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.

The ongoing rehabilitation of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where the governor is building a N1.6 billion waterworks project, as well as the subway projects in Makurdi, the state capital, and Gboko are among the projects inspected, according to a statement released by Zazzaga, who was a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 election.

Members of the North-Central APC Forum, who participated in the inspection in large numbers, also saw ongoing work on a number of road construction projects, such as the renovation of the State Assembly and the 40-year-old State Secretaria, the Manyam–Unongo Village–Adikpo (23km) and Tyowanye–Uga (21km) roads in Kwande and Buruku LGAs, and 16 roads in Makurdi and within Zone A.

The APC Forum stated that it is supporting the governor for a second term in order to allow him to solidify his vision for the state and, consequently, the North-Central zone, noting that Alia is quietly reviving Benue State with his projects in spite of opposition to his administration from some political leaders in the state.

Alia is embroiled in a political conflict with Ortom, the state’s PDP governor, and Akume, the SGF and an APC leader in Benue State.

There are concerns that the face-off with Akume, which has led to the factionalization of the Benue chapter of the APC, could cost Alia a second term.

The North-Central APC Forum, however, advised the governor to stick to his goal of transforming Benue and not let “spent forces” divert him from it because they are only interested in themselves.

Parts of the statement read, “The North-Central APC Forum on Tuesday, 13th January 2025, inspected major ongoing projects being executed by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia in Benue State. The Forum has also assessed other initiatives being implemented by the Alia administration.

“The need for the inspection and assessment, as conducted by members of the North-Central APC Forum, followed concerns that the opposition faced by the governor due to the needless political crisis in the state could affect governance.

“The North-Central APC Forum is glad to observe that despite distractions, Governor Hyacinth Alia is silently turning Benue State around with a number of laudable, impactful projects. These projects, when completed, would not only improve the economy of the state, they would also change the image of Benue as a rural, under-developed state.

“The underpass projects in Makurdi and Gboko, which are part of an urban renewal initiative, when completed, will address the traffic congestion, in addition to boosting the aesthetic and revenue base of the state as well as attracting investment.

“The APC Forum equally observed that 16 strategic roads within Makurdi metropolis have either been completed or are nearing completion. The ‘Light-up Makurdi’ streetlight project, which relies on solar power technology, has reached an advanced stage, giving the state capital an impressive facelift. This project aims to position Makurdi to compete with other reputable state capitals in the country.

“The Alia administration has already transformed the Benue University Teaching Hospital, which was neglected by previous administrations. Governor Alia’s commitment to upgrading the hospital is demonstrated by the donation of the sum of N2 billion for the establishment of cancer center in the institution.”

The North-Central APC Forum further highlighted the development of polythene and nylon factory, nail manufacturing company, fashion and ICT centre, and growth of bread and water factories by the Benue Investments and Property Company Limited, under Alia’s administration.

The APC Forum praised Alia for the progress and highlighted the efforts’ economic benefits, which are expected to generate 400 indirect and 300 direct jobs.

The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape, or ACReSAL, is a significant project of Alia’s administration that was also highlighted by the North-Central APC Forum. The ACReSAL Project’s initiatives include restoring and modernising agricultural produce warehouses and agro hubs in all 23 local government areas, distributing solar-powered irrigation pumps to farmer groups in the senatorial districts, and repairing deteriorating dams like Adoka-Icho Dam in Otukpo and Naka Dam in Gwer West.

The North-Central APC Forum gave Alia a passmark for the projects and encouraged President Bola Tinubu and Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, to safeguard Alia as a “valuable asset” of the party.

“Having inspected, first hand, the silent revolution going on in Benue State, the North-Central APC Forum hereby gives Governor Hyacinth Alia a passmark and endorse him for a second term, to continue and consolidate on his ongoing initiatives.

“The North-Central APC Forum is not unaware of attempts by some self-centered politicians to stop the governor from working for the common good of the people of Benue State, who have over the years been neglected by successive administrations, leading to Benue being regarded as an under-developed, backward state, despite its abundant human and natural resources.

“Governor Alia has taken it upon himself to change the narrative and he deserves all the support needed to complete the arduous task he has taken upon himself. The North-Central APC Forum advises that Governor Alia should not be distracted by spent forces, who failed to work for the long-suffering Benue people when they were in power and have now ganged up against him.

“We urge President Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and other leaders of the party to protect Governor Hyacinth Alia, who we have identified as a valuable asset of the party in the North-Central.

“The exploits of Governor Alia in Benue could have a ripple effect in other North-Central states if he is protected by the President and the national leadership of the party, as that will encourage other governors to replicate similar developmental strides in their states.

“We make a case that the President and the national leadership of the party should go out of their way to protect performing governors and other public officials identified as valuable assets of the party, due to their performance in office. A situation whereby some so called godfathers or kingmakers gang up to frustrate performing governors or public officials who refuse to bend to their selfish interests should no longer be allowed.”

According to ZINGTIE, President Bola Tinubu was ordered by the North-Central APC Forum to “watch” Akume for forming a coalition with Ortom in opposition to Alia. The Forum claimed the collaboration between Akume and Ortom indicated that the AGF was cooperating with opposition leaders to destabilize the APC in the North-Central zone.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.