By Jude Opara
The North-Central All Progressives Congress, (APC) Forum has endorsed Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for a second term in 2027, amid the political tussle in the state following the face-off between the governor and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Senator George Akume.
The political crisis in the state is further heightened by the feud between Alia and his predecessor, Chief Samuel Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).
The North-Central APC Forum backed Alia for a second term after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects and other initiatives being implemented by the governor in Benue State.
The APC Forum announced the endorsement in a statement released by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, yesterday in Abuja.
Zazzaga, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the 2023 election, disclosed that projects inspected include ongoing rehabilitation of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where the governor is constructing a N1.6 billion waterworks project, as well as the underpass projects in Makurdi, the state capital, and Gboko.
Members of the North-Central APC Forum, who undertook the inspection in their numbers, equally observed ongoing work on several road construction projects, including 16 roads in Makurdi and within Zone A, the Manyam–Unongo Village–Adikpo (23km) and Tyowanye–Uga (21km) roads in Kwande and Buruku LGAs, as well as renovation of the 40-year-old State Secretaria and the State Assembly.
The APC Forum, which noted that Alia is silently turning Benue State around with his projects despite opposition to his administration from some political leaders in the state, said it is backing the governor for a second term to enable him consolidate on his vision for the state, and by extension, the North-Central zone.
Alia is locked in a political battle with the SGF, Akume, a leader of the APC in Benue State, as well as Ortom, leader of the PDP in the state.
There are speculations 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.
However, the North-Central APC Forum urged the governor to continue with his mission to transform Benue and not be distracted by “spent forces” who are only after their selfish interests.
The North-Central APC Forum further highlighted the establishment of polythene and nylon factory, nail production company, fashion and ICT hub, and expansion of bread and water factories by the Benue Investments and Property Company Limited, under Alia’s administration.
Lauding Alia for the development, the APC Forum emphasized the economic benefits of the initiatives, which are projected to create 300 direct and 400 indirect jobs.
