By Amos Aar
A GROUP under the aegis of Benue United Minds (BUM) has declared total support for Governor Hyacinth Alia and has condemned attacks against the governor which it said will not enable him to transform Benue State.
The group’s convener, Dr Ugbir Yanmar Abel, made the declaration in a press release dated Monday, December 11, 2023 and made available to National Record in Makurdi.
While stating that the group passed a vote of confidence on Governor Alia, he also stressed that BUM is a group of indigenes of Benue State, both at home and in the diaspora, who believe in the development, progress, unity and peace of the state.
According to Dr Abel, members of the group came together to be a voice of clarity and direction-pointer for the masses of the state.
ALSO READ: Why There’s No Overall Winner For 2023 Wole Soyinka Award For Investigative Reporting
According to the convener, BUM is out to kick against any distraction that would hinder Governor Alia from performing his duties and to mobilise the masses to rise up to the challenge to ensure the right thing is done.
“We are here to say no to pettiness and the shenanigans that usually distract the government of the day from doing that which is right. We are here to remind the masses that they are amongst the major stakeholders in the state and must rise to reject and resist any attempt targeted at distracting the current administration of His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth lormem Alia. We are here to see the right thing done by all concerned,” Abel said as he appreciated Benue people for voting Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia into office.
“For accepting and overwhelmingly voting in His Excellency Governor Alia into office, we say thank you again and be sure that you shall never have cause to regret your choice of him as your governor.
“In the last few weeks, we saw and read various accusations and attacks against our Governor from persons and groups and we cannot choose to remain silent about this but speak out; we consider all such accusations and complaints as baseless and needless.
ALSO READ: Trade Unionism In The Era Of Economic Crisis: Addressing The Increasing Poverty Level Of Nigerian Workers Part 1; By Omotoye Olorode
“We the Benue masses cannot allow mistakes of the past to repeat itself again and deny and ruin the state of this golden chance and opportunity of going forward under the watch of Governor Alia. Let crisis and disunity not remain a reoccurring decimal in our polity.
“If we may ask, what is the crime of the governor so soon? Shouldn’t he have frozen the state bank accounts to prevent hawks and vultures from garnishing state funds with their court garnishee orders? A move that is applauded by the general masses. Shouldn’t he have debugged (removed) names of ghost workers and from both the local and state government payrolls? These have been the means of siphoning state funds of past administrations but His Excellency Governor Alia has achieved that within his few weeks into office. Shouldn’t he pay civil servants, pensioners their wages?
“Shouldn’t he have awarded and constructed the sixteen (16) township roads with solar lights?
“Shouldn’t he have lighted the township roads with solar lights? Shouldn’t he have used the fuel subsidy removal palliative funds to procure the hundred buses for Benue Links or registered WAEC and NECO for our teeming promising but financially helpless youths across the state. Shouldn’t he have made appointments of men he can trust to work with in achieving the agendas of his administration?
ALSO READ: Taking The Rocky Path Of Struggle With Kokori; By Owei Lakemfa
“All the above listed are people-oriented projects and we celebrate His Excellency for starting on a good and sound footing and urge him not to look or hold back but soar higher and higher. Amen.
“Benue United Minds is stating clearly here today that, anybody or group complaining, accusing or attacking Governor Alia at this early stage of his administration does not mean well for the state and her people and we are set to reject and resist all such unnecessary distractions henceforth. We will no longer allow the governor to be stampeded.
“We the Benue Masses are also major stakeholders in the state and have today passed a vote of confidence on His Excellency our amiable, vibrant and dedicated Governor Hyacinth Alia and have categorically declared to promote, project, protect and support his administration to succeed to the fullest,” Abel said.
