By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Benue State, Barnabas Gemade, has appealed to Benue people irrespective of party affiliations to support Governor Hyacinth Alia beyond 2027 to enable him continue to serve the state for two terms.
Gemade, a former Senator representing Benue North East at the National Assembly made the appeal while addressing APC supporters when he spoke at a reception and conferment of chieftaincy title of
‘Akinde U Mbavaa’ shade of Mbavaa on Technical Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Solomon Iorpev, held at Tse-Agberagba in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.
He argued that Governor Alia deserved a second tenure because of his selflessness in providing purposeful leadership to Benue people within his short stay in office.
The elderstatesman called on Benue people to encourage and pray for Governor Alia to enable him achieve his vision for the state, disclosing that no one from Vandeikya and Konshisha local government areas (Jechira) would contest with Governor Alia in his bid for a second term.
The APC chieftain assured Iorpev of his fatherly support at all times to enable him serve the governor and Benue people effectively, advising him to remain resolute and focused in the discharge of his assignment.
Also speaking, permanent secretary Government House Administration, Bartholomew Ageraga, cautioned youths against disrespecting elders and advised them to desist from the practice of insulting leaders on the social media which has become a common trend.
In his response, after the title was conferred on him and his wife by Ter Kyor HRH Jam Gbinde,the celebrant,Solomon Iorpev expressed gratitude to God for his blessings, including the healing of his wife, guidance in his political journey, and the birth of a son after nine years marked by four miscarriages following their first child.
He appealed to the people of Konshisha to support Governor Hyacinth Alia in achieving more developmental projects.
Iorpev also appreciated Gemade for his mentorship and support, describing him as a father.
Iorpev who announced sponsorship of ten youths annually in the fifteen communities of Mbavaa extraction of Gaav through his humanitarian foundation and to drill one borehole per year in each of these communities while he serve under Alia administration, expressed appreciation to the elder-statesman Gemade, for his fatherly support and mentorship that has brought him this far in politics.