The Benue State Government has described as malicious and fabricated, a recent report suggesting that the State Governor Hyacinth Alia is preparing to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC)to the African Democratic Congress ADC after a supposed “secret meeting” with a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Iyorchia Ayu .
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Tersoo Kula found the narrative laughable, adding that it is nothing but a wicked, mischievous, and vicious smear campaign orchestrated to distract the Governor from his focused governance and to deceive the Presidency for selfish political gains.
He futher argued that since assumption of office, the Governor has been visiting leaders and elder statesmen devoid of political or religious inclination insisting that a Governor with a liberal vision for development like Alia should embrace all as he reserves the right to visit any elder statesman, especially leaders of Ayu’s calibre.
Such visits Kula maintained are normal, respectable and consistent with his inclusive leadership style.
“In fact, the Governor has been reaching out to prominent elders across Benue and winning them into the APC fold.
Notable among them are third Republic Senator, Prof. David Iornem , Elder David Iorwashima Amo, Terhemen Tarzoor among others.
These engagements have strengthened the party rather than weakened it, the statement added.
This is the true political reality in Benue, not the fiction being circulated by mischief makers,”the Chief Press Secretary explained
The Government said it remains firmly committed to building a united, dominant APC in the State.
Kula said the Governor is prepared to engage even the fiercest political opponents and bring them into the party as part of a broader strategy for 2027 consolidation, both for his administration and for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He therefore advised the public to disregard the concocted story in circulation as it is a deliberate distraction meant to sow confusion and undermine the growing strength of the APC under Governor Alia’s leadership.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
