2027: NUP, Okada Riders Purchase Nomination Forms for Gov Alia’s Contest

From Dooshima Terkura Makurdi

The Nigeria Union of Pensions, NUP, Benue State chapter and Benue Motorcycle Association, BEMOA has purchased and presented Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms to Governor Hyacinth Alia to enable him recontest his position come 2027 general elections.

The two groups presented the N50 million forms to the Governor at the old Banquet hall, Government House in Makurdi on Saturday.

Speaking, the state NUP Chairman, Comrade Michael Vembe explained that they were moved to purchase the forms in conjunction with BEMOA as a way of reciprocating Governor Alia’s regular welfare packages towards them especially the payment of pensions and gratuities to retired civil servants in the State.

Vembe lauded the constitution of a committee to review and offset pension arrears, requesting that pensioners too be placed on free and compulsory medical treatment.

Hee said, “We had enough money to pay forms for the governor but BEMOA decided to join us and we went to Abuja to buy the forms”.

State President BEMOA Terfa Aha said “In recognition of the visible achievements of the governor in various sectors, we decided in conjunction with NUP to purchase the forms for you. We will mobilize support for your re-election in 2027”.

Deputy Governor Sam Ode who appreciate the two groups for their gesture stated that the action by the unions is ‘noble’ and ‘novel’ as no state governor in the country has enjoyed such privilege.

He said members of the State Executive Council also sought the Governor’s permission to purchase forms for him and raised N34 million to that effect .

“We will continue to support you. Those for you are more than those against you”, Sam Ode stated.

In his response, Governor Hyacinth Alia appreciated the unions, saying that he is indebted to them.

“It is a humbling moment for me. It challenges and reminds me Benue has old cancerous wound that need to be cured.

“It brings to mind the number of days we counted our sorrows and we got here. God is going to do greater things for the state. We can’t be doing one things all the time and expect result. We must change the dynamics. There are beneficiaries along the pipelines who fight us. Over time people have suffered so much and the resilience is that they are used to it.

“There should be new thinking and do things different. There were conduit pipes that were dug deep in the system. Benue is bigger than me. We are talking about the generation yet unborn. Where are we and where do we go from here? In terms of physical and human development where are we? If you must keep everyone happy, you must be selling ice cream.

“For 9 months as Governor I was using a old car that broke down. We needed to give priority to the civil servants and pensioners. There were lots of mixed sentiments, we had to make sacrifices by giving up so many things just to take care of Benue indivduals. I always prayed to God to give me the spirit of resilience. I did not lose my sleep in all the criticisms on the social media. It was one step forward and 8 steps backwards by blackmailers and misinformers.

“At a point Pensioners even gave me money to recharge my phone. There were complaints that I was paying pensioners too frequent and they were taking away people girlfriends. We have to do road because that is what the people want but we got to take care of stomach infrastructure too. We have flairs but must do things appealing to the people. That is why am with the masses. We will ensure development reach the grassroots.

“When we assumed office, 17 local government councils were on the frontline in insecurity issues but we worked hard and brought it down to 6 . We have enormous work to do to eradicate banditry and kidnapping in the state. My heart go to the IDPs who are where they never expected to be. Let us continue to support them. We will continue to look out for welfare of the people. Your contributions will not be a waste”Alia pledged.