Prof. Terhemba Shija promises to tackle insecurity, resettle IDPs, improve healthcare and create jobs if elected governor.
By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, has lamented what he described as the erosion of the state’s development foundation, pledging to rescue and reset the state if elected governor.
Shija made the remarks during an interaction with journalists at his residence in Makurdi on Tuesday, where he criticised successive administrations for allegedly abandoning the development vision established by the late former governor, Aper Aku.
He said Aku laid the foundation for a modern Benue State but regretted that subsequent administrations had failed to sustain his policies, contributing to what he described as the state’s declining development trajectory.
The NDC candidate argued that effective governance required leaders to prioritise the welfare of the people rather than pursue personal interests.
He also expressed concern over the large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps across the state, describing their prolonged stay in such facilities as unacceptable.
Shija pledged to address the situation by improving security and creating conditions that would enable displaced residents to return to their ancestral communities.
He vowed to protect lives and property against armed groups seeking to take over communities and farmlands, adding that anyone found culpable of criminal activities would face prosecution.
Shija Promises Technology-Driven Security
The governorship candidate said his administration would adopt technology-driven and comprehensive security measures to tackle insecurity across the state.
He listed the deployment of drones, installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and the use of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches among the strategies he would introduce.
“I will employ the use of drones and install CCTV, as well as engage in kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackle insecurity. My police will be like the military,” he said.
Shija also pledged to close all IDP camps in the state, insisting that he had conducted research and believed the measure was necessary to address the displacement crisis.
However, he did not provide further details on how his proposed policy would be implemented or how the safety and sustainable resettlement of displaced persons would be guaranteed.
Healthcare, Water Supply and Youth Employment
Beyond security, Shija outlined plans to improve healthcare delivery, expand household water supply and create employment opportunities for young people through entrepreneurship.
He said his administration would prioritise access to essential public services and empower youths to become economically productive.
The NDC candidate also promised to grant local government councils autonomy, while maintaining that the Benue State House of Assembly would exercise its oversight responsibilities.
According to him, local government chairmen found guilty of corruption would be removed from office and prosecuted.
Shija Vows to Defeat Incumbent Governor
Reflecting on his political journey and the challenges he faced in securing the NDC governorship ticket, Shija expressed confidence that he would defeat the incumbent governor in the forthcoming election.
He also pledged to serve for only four years, saying his intention was to complete Governor Hyacinth Alia’s tenure.
Shija recalled his previous governorship ambition under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023, alleging that the party’s primary election was manipulated in favour of Alia.
He said he challenged the outcome in court and maintained that the legal battle had strengthened his determination to pursue his political ambition.
“I have never lost an election. I had been elected to the House of Representatives,” he said.
Shija added that efforts to prevent him from securing the NDC nomination had failed, expressing confidence in his chances of winning the governorship election.
“They couldn’t succeed to stop my nomination now. Let them see what will happen. I will be governor whether a former governor likes it or not. I can’t be defeated,” he boasted.
His proposed agenda places security, the resettlement of displaced persons, public service delivery and local government administration at the centre of his campaign promises.
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