Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to inclusive governance, rejecting as “baseless” suggestions that he shuns election rivals or key stakeholders.
Governor Alia’s remarks in coming barely hours after Vice President Kashim Shettima urged him and his ‘perceived godfather’ – the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume to bury their political hatchet and unity ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement on Wednesday by his Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication Solomon Iorpev, Governor Alia dismissed misinformation portraying him as unwelcoming to those who challenged him in last year’s elections.
“These claims are unfounded and completely false,” the statement said, stressing that “elections are over and governance has since begun”.
Governor Alia, who took office pledging unity, has drawn former opponents into his fold. Among them are Senator Barnabas Gemade, ex-Deputy Governor Steven Lawani, Terlumun Ikya, and his own deputy—all now collaborating on Benue’s development.
Iorpev said Governor Alia demonstrated his open door policy by appointing Terver Ikya, relative of lawmaker Terlumun Ikya, as interim chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club in Makurdi, signalling openness to talent beyond partisan lines.
The statement urged an end to “divisive narratives”, insisting leadership is no “do-or-die affair”.
The Governor’s spokesman also refuted claims that recent APC state congresses were mere formalities, confirming full elections across 23 local government areas under INEC and party oversight.
“Governor Alia remains committed to his campaign promises” via an ‘open-door policy’, the government said, inviting all Benue citizens to unite for “peaceful, prosperous” progress, the statement added.
