By: Terdue Atondu, Makurdi.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Benue State Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, MNIPR, KSJ, has declared that Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia governs for the entire people of Benue State and not for individuals such as the embattled former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Austin Aondona Agada.
Kula, who made the remarks while speaking with journalists on Wednesday, questioned Agada’s political relevance and capacity to challenge the governor’s administration, insisting that the government remained focused on delivering democratic dividends to the people.
He also accused the former APC chairman of lacking the moral authority to disparage the governor, describing him as a political actor whose electoral performance, according to him, raised questions about his standing in Benue politics.
The CPS specifically alleged that Agada failed to deliver his Owukpa-Ehaje Ward in Ogbadibo Local Government Area to the APC during the 2023 general elections.
Kula wondered why someone who allegedly could not secure his own ward for the party would threaten the governor with electoral defeat in 2027.
“This is the kind of person without political value who comes out publicly to tell the people that the coalition he is part of will show Fr. Alia shege in the 2027 governorship election,” Kula said.
He explained that his response was necessary to clarify the issues for public understanding, arguing that Agada’s political record did not qualify him to speak authoritatively on the state’s political future.
The governor’s spokesman, however, maintained that Alia remained committed to transforming Benue State and would not be distracted by political alignments or opposition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, the administration is intensifying efforts to implement reforms across critical sectors, with the ultimate objective of improving the living conditions of residents.
Kula said the governor’s reform-driven approach informed the decision of the Tiv traditional council to confer on him the chieftaincy title of “Asortar u Benue,” meaning “The Reformer of Benue State.”
He added that the challenges confronting the administration were not unexpected, given the nature of the reforms being implemented to address longstanding problems in the state.
The CPS further attributed the governor’s popularity to his longstanding humanitarian activities and engagement with communities, noting that Alia had spent more than 30 years in the priesthood serving the people before becoming governor.
According to Kula, the governor’s years of interaction with residents have given him a better understanding of their needs and the underlying causes of the challenges confronting the state, placing him in a position to develop lasting solutions.
On the 2023 presidential election, Kula claimed that Vandeikya, the governor’s local government area, recorded the highest votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, followed by Ushongo, the governor’s maternal home area.
He contrasted the performance with what he described as Agada’s inability to deliver his ward to Tinubu, despite his political positions and alleged involvement in the leadership of a government board.
Kula also praised local government chairmen serving under the Alia administration, saying their performance had exceeded expectations.
He attributed the development to the governor’s decision to grant local government councils full financial autonomy, which he said had strengthened grassroots administration and enabled council chairmen to respond more effectively to the needs of their constituents.
The CPS maintained that the Alia administration remained undeterred by emerging political coalitions, expressing confidence that the governor’s performance and connection with the people would be decisive factors in the 2027 governorship election.
He insisted that the administration’s priority remained governance and service delivery, rather than engaging in political confrontations with its critics.
