President of Nigeria’s NKST Synod, Rev. Dr. Asongu Adure, on Thursday hosted Professor Sebastine Hon, the Social Democratic Party’s gubernatorial candidate for Benue State, at the church’s synod in Mkar, Gboko Local Government Area.
The NKST — Nongu u Kristu u I Ser U Sha Tar, also known as the Universal Reformed Christian Church in Nigeria — is the denomination’s highest governing body.
The meeting gave the candidate a platform to set out policy priorities and seek the church’s blessing ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.
“God chooses leaders. All things end by God’s design,” Rev. Dr. Adure told delegates.
“We have seen you face to face. We present your desire to God Almighty who knows all things. People are in different political parties. May God grant them unity for a united front for the development of the land. May God grant us peace. This is a holy family. We thank you.”
He then asked Reverend Professor Terundu Mbachilin to lead special prayers for Professor Hon’s success.
Professor Hon used the occasion of his address to outline a campaign focused on security, agricultural revival and poverty reduction.
Quoting Romans 13:1–4, he argued that “God grants leaders power to defend their people,” and described equitable development as the “greatest security.”
He criticized the state’s recent violence and said he was moved by a “love for human life,” citing efforts in Enugu and Zamfara to combat banditry through investments in high-tech security systems.
He pledged to tackle poverty by returning farmers to the land, supplying inputs, creating a marketing board, building rural roads and issuing grants.
He also promised to pursue industrialization through public-private partnerships.
“I will be a servant leader. I will be accessible and won’t be arrogant. Leadership is service to the people. I will be just and fair to everyone as I will rule with the fear of God,” Professor Hon said, drawing intermittent applause.
On local governance, he pledged to grant councils full autonomy and empower them to award contracts, aligning with the SDP manifesto.
After the synod session, Prof. Hon visited the NKST Humanitarian Foundation in Mkar, where he made a monetary donation and prayed with orphans at the facility.
