Who Taught Governor Hyacinth Alia This Type Of Politics?

Msugh Iorwase Armstrong

On this blue app this will be the second time I will be asking this same question, who introduced our Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia into this brand of politics?

Since 1999 to date, Benue has produced four Executive Governors, namely, Sen. George Akume, RT. Hon. Gabriel Torwua Suswam, Chief Samuel Ortom and Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia who is the incumbent Governor at the moment.

Akume who came in after a lengthy period of the military intervention, had his battles, challenges be it political, we all witness how he went about all these issues.

In 2007, Suswam took office as governor at approximately 41 years old, earning him the distinction of being the youngest governor.

 His management of various political battles was particularly noteworthy.

As Suswam’s first term was coming to an end and political campaigns were heating up, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, presented Professor Steven Torkuma Ugbah as their candidate.

The late Baba Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongu aptly described the situation, stating, “I have been involved in opposition politics for over four decades, but I have never witnessed such a formidable opposition as seen in the emergence of Professor Steven Ugbah, the ACN’s standard flagbearer.”

I vividly recall reading local newspapers like The News Time, TNT, and The Alternative at newspaper stands around Pleasure Travel Park and Benue Links Park.

 I would spend hours reading papers from morning until late in the day, sometimes prompting vendors to collect their newspapers due to exhaustion.

Despite the strong waves that Ugbah brought, Gabriel Suswam rose to the occasion, and I would like to specifically appreciate Suswam for the exceptional diplomacy and wisdom he demonstrated while engaging the opposition, considering his age at the time.

I dare say that since 1999 to date, the “Ugbah Nyor Show changi” remains the strongest opposition Benue state has experienced.

 Chief Samuel Ortom’s tenure also came, and I will not elaborate much on the Ortom days because, as at the time Ortom was sworn in, records show that he was and still is the most experienced Benue Governor politically, and many believe he might have developed a thick skin while rising through the ranks.

However, all saw how he handled his political battles diplomatically.

In fact, there was a time his convoy was blocked in Gboko, and his microphone was snatched from him in church, yet he handled all that with great maturity.

Today, Benue state is blessed to have a Reverend Father in Hyacinth Alia as Governor.

Ordinarily, it is expected that everyone will believe in the prospect of peace, regardless of its form.

Even in the absence of peace, our Governor, a priest, is anticipated to utilize his priestly expertise to differentiate between a priest-turned-governor and politicians-turned-governors.

Those who have had the privilege of hearing our Governor speak in public gatherings can attest that his comments often contradict the values and teachings of Jesus Christ.

I do not wish to elaborate on Governor Alia’s past actions or statements, but I encourage you to reflect on the recent incident in Gboko, where he spoke in a church.

Please reflect soberly on the issue and honestly assess whether Governor Alia is right or wrong.

It appears that our Governor requires introspection and a deep, sober reflection, whether due to pride, principles, arrogance, or inexperience in the political arena.

The booing of Ter Gboko in Gboko, following the removal of a Gboko son as speaker of the 10th House of Assembly, was the greatest disservice inflicted on Alia’s administration by those responsible.

I wish to remind the Governor that the political bond existing among the Jemgba people is akin to that of secret cult members, with no other Benue political bloc possessing such a strong bond, whether Jechira, Sankera, MINDA, or Kwande.

Upon assuming office in May 2023, many believed Hon. Paul Biam, his then chief of staff, was masterminding these aggressive moves.

Nonetheless, Governor Alia’s administration has implemented even more severe measures following Biam’s dismissal.

This raises the questions:

Who is the driving force behind these aggressive moves within Alia’s government?

Or is Governor Alia himself the architect of these strategies?

If Benue cannot attain political peace under the leadership of a Rev. Father with over thirty years of priestly experience, then who is the individual that can bring about the long awaited peace that Benue has been yearning for over the years?

 I am Msugh Iorwase Armstrong, writing from Shangev Tiev, Konshisha LGA.