By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA — THE Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia on Monday reassured President Bola Tinubu that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains united in the State despite recent internal disagreements.
Governor Alia said he was confident the APC would emerge stronger and deliver greater electoral support in 2027.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with Mr. President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Alia acknowledged agitations among party faithful following the APC primaries but insisted they were temporary.
“There have been some agitations from APC faithful after the primaries, but I believe they will calm down. Mr. President is a democrat who understands these processes. We worked together to build the APC, and I am confident we will remain one family,” he said.
Accompanied by former governor Gabriel Suswam, Alia told reporters that Benue would increase its support for the President at the next general election.
“As I won the election the first time, we are going to double the numbers for Mr. President, and the APC will continue to remain united in Benue State,” he added.
Alia said he also briefed the President on security in the state, reporting significant improvements after months of violent attacks.
He said Mr. President sought updates on the condition of internally displaced persons (IDPs), their return to their communities and the security measures being implemented to support farming during the planting season.
“Previously, we had a lot of insecurity, but it has calmed down. The President wanted to know the position of the IDPs and whether those voluntarily returning home still have anxieties.
“This is the farming season, and because Benue is the food basket of the nation, he wanted to know how we are tackling those challenges. We briefed him accordingly,” Alia said.
Describing the security situation as “relatively calm”, the governor expressed optimism that peace would continue to take root across the state.
Alia thanked the President for attending the recent Benue at 50 celebration, saying Mr. Tinubu’s presence was a major boost for the state.
He noted that the President commissioned the state’s fruit concentrate factory during the anniversary, while two other industrial projects — a beer factory and a fruit juice processing plant — await commissioning.
He also said First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu commissioned 10 urban renewal roads executed by his administration during her visit.
Alia said the meeting gave him the opportunity to update the President on governance, development projects and the overall situation in Benue, and he expressed confidence that the state was on a path of greater stability and economic growth.
