…moves to calm APC rift

***says post-primary agitations will subside as President seeks update on security, IDPs

***Reports improving peace, says state remains focused on farming and development

 

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Monday sought to reassure President Bola Tinubu that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains united in Benue despite recent internal disagreements, expressing confidence that the party would emerge stronger and deliver even greater electoral support for the President in the next general election.

Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Alia acknowledged agitations among party faithful following the APC primaries but insisted they were temporary.

“There have been some agitations from APC faithful after the primaries, but I believe they will calm down. Mr. President is a democrat who understands these processes. We worked together to build the APC, and I am confident we will remain one family,” he said.

Governor Alia who was accompanied by former governor Gabriel Suswam during the closed doors, pledged that Benue would increase its electoral support for Tinubu.

“As I won the election the first time, we are going to double the numbers for Mr. President, and the APC will continue to remain united in Benue State,” he added.

Beyond politics, Alia said he used the meeting to brief the President on the security situation in the state, reporting significant improvements after months of violent attacks.

He said Tinubu sought updates on the condition of internally displaced persons (IDPs), their return to their communities and the security measures being implemented to support farming activities during the current planting season.

“Previously, we had a lot of insecurity, but it has calmed down. President Bola Tinubu wanted to know the position of the IDPs and whether those voluntarily returning home still have anxieties.

“This is the farming season, and because Benue is the food basket of the nation, he wanted to know how we are tackling those challenges. We briefed him accordingly,” Alia said.

He described the security situation as “relatively calm” and expressed optimism that peace would continue to take root across the state.

The governor also thanked Tinubu for attending the recent Benue at 50 celebration, describing the President’s presence as a major boost for the state.

According to him, Tinubu commissioned the state’s fruit concentrate factory during the anniversary, while two other industrial projects, a beer factory and a fruit juice processing plant, are awaiting commissioning.

He also noted that First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu commissioned 10 urban renewal roads executed by his administration during her visit to the state.

Alia said the meeting afforded him the opportunity to update the President on governance, development projects and the overall situation in Benue, expressing confidence that the state was on a path of greater stability and economic growth.