Governorship aspirants in Benue State on the platforms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have entered into a strategic partnership to unseat the current occupant of the seat in 2027.

The governorship aspirants in their goodwill messages at the Benue PDP Expanded Caucus Meeting held in Makurdi agreed to rescue the state from undemocratic leadership.

They urged the people to shelve their differences and vote to elect a new governor in 2027.

The current governor of the state is Hyacinth Alia who is of the All Progressives Congress.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, who is vying under APC, said that all the state needed was peace and tranquillity as 2027 approaches.

Mr Akutah stated that some persons in positions of authority were stoking embers of hate and discord.

“We cannot afford to be divided because division will not help us achieve this purpose. We have to work together.

“As an APC governorship aspirant, I am here today to show solidarity. Let us work together as people who want to reclaim this state from the hands of our enemies,” he said.

Another aspirant on the APC platform, Prof. Sebastian Hon, SAN, said in his remarks that “Benue is facing an existential threat as a people,” adding that the people must not allow that to continue.

Mr Hon pointed out that the most important function of any responsible government was protection of lives, expressing concern that insecurity was on the rise in the state.

“But what remains clear is that some people are unwilling to defend the people. I am excited that the PDP remains a strong opposition. What gives me even greater joy is the strategic partnership the PDP has formed,” he said.

A former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, who is jostling for the APC ticket, strongly condemned violent politicking in the state.

Mr Aondoakaa told the people of the state to rise up and reject violent politics, which he described as alien to Benue State.

He said the strategic partnership coordinated by the immediate past governor of the state, Samuel Orton, was a welcome development that all men of goodwill in the state must join with all sincerity.

A former Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission and PDP aspirant, Tor Ujah, urged the people to do everything legitimate to rescue the state.

Another PDP aspirant, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, corroborated his colleagues, saying that there was every need for the two parties to form a partnership to reclaim the state. 

(NAN)