2027: Benue reiterates its promised one million votes to Tinubu

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Benue State Deputy Governor, Dr Sam Ode, on Thursday, reiterated an earlier pledge made by the State Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia that the state will give nothing less than one million votes for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming presidential election.

Ode said this while answering questions from journalists who were on the team of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team in Makurdi, the State capital .

The team, led by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Bayo Onanuga, is in the State for the inspection of projects executed by both the state and federal governments.

Dr Ode, a former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, vowed to mobilize other members of the State Executive Council as well as state’s electorate to achieve the promise.

According to the Deputy Governor, “We already have a pronouncement by the Benue State governor that the state will deliver one million votes to President Tinubu.

“It is my responsibility as the deputy governor to mobilise the people of the state in their large numbers, alongside other members of the State Executive Council, to ensure that we actualise the promise made by the governor,” he reassured.

Among the projects inspected by the team were; the High-Level Interchange and Underpass Road, the Wurukum Flyover Project, an interstate road linking several states as well as the Buruku Bridge and the erosion control project in Mu, among others.

The Buruku bridge, projected to be completed in December next year, is expected to serve the people of Taraba, Adamawa and Benue states among others.

While justifying the establishment of a brewery and non-alcoholic beverage production facility in the state, the deputy governor said: “it is in line with the multi-sectoral approach of President Tinubu, on the need for state governors to invest in projects that will impact directly on the lives of the people,

“Under the leadership of the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, we initiated this Food Basket Brewery. It is not only an alcoholic beverage plant but also produces non-alcoholic beverages.

“The government, on assumption of office, undertook the groundbreaking for investment in this project in response to the fact that Benue is a very large market for alcoholic beverages.

“Thirty-five years after the establishment of the first brewery, Governor Alia has given the state quality brands, including Zeva Beer, Zeva Malt and other ancillary drinks,” he said.