2027: Alia not bothered about political gang-ups – Kula

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula, has said Governor Hyacinth Alia is not bothered by alleged political gang-ups against his administration ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Kula said the governor remained focused on delivering democratic dividends to the people of Benue State, adding that emerging political alliances and manoeuvres were neither unexpected nor a distraction to his administration.

He stated this while reacting to growing political activities and reports of an alleged coalition involving some political actors against the governor ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, Governor Alia anticipated the political developments and was more concerned about implementing reforms and addressing the challenges confronting residents of the state than engaging in political confrontations.

Kula attributed the alleged opposition to the administration’s reform agenda, arguing that efforts to change an established system often attract resistance from individuals and groups who benefit from the existing order.

He recalled that Alia introduced reforms shortly after assuming office, noting that the governor’s approach to governance had earned him recognition from the traditional institution through a title associated with reform.

The CPS said reform-oriented leaders often encountered opposition because their policies and decisions could challenge established interests and disrupt familiar political arrangements.

He urged political observers to examine the identities and interests of those allegedly involved in the emerging political alliance, asking whether the opposition comprised ordinary citizens and groups directly affected by the administration’s policies or individuals seeking to protect established interests.

Kula also dismissed threats by opposition figures that a coalition or the All Progressives Congress (APC) would teach Alia a political lesson, questioning the basis for such confidence and urging political actors to reflect on their records and performance.

He, however, stressed the need to avoid unnecessary personal disputes, saying political claims should be assessed on their merits and supported by verifiable facts rather than rhetoric.

The governor’s spokesman maintained that Alia did not assume office to serve the interests of a select group of politicians but to govern in the interest of the people of Benue State.

He said the governor’s years of service as a Catholic priest before entering politics had exposed him to the living conditions and challenges of people in different communities, including rural and underserved areas.

According to Kula, Alia’s pastoral experience enabled him to interact with people from different social backgrounds and understand challenges such as poor road networks, inadequate access to water and other infrastructure deficits in rural communities.

He added that the governor continued to receive information about developments across the state through contacts in various communities, including priests who regularly interacted with residents and relayed information about local needs and security concerns.

Kula, however, acknowledged that understanding the problems confronting the people was different from having the resources and capacity to resolve them immediately.

He noted that Benue had 23 local government areas, making it necessary for the government to adopt a phased approach to development based on available resources, planning and competing needs.

The CPS maintained that the administration’s priority remained addressing the needs of the people, insisting that political manoeuvres ahead of 2027 would not distract the governor from his responsibilities.