Thousands of supporters from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties in Benue State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This occurred in Sankera, Kwande, and Ushongo local government areas on Wednesday during Governor Hyacinth Alia’s state-wide thank-you tour.
Speaking at events held at Katsina-Ala township stadium and LGEA primary school in Kwande town, Governor Alia expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support during the last elections. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to returning all internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by armed herdsmen attacks to their ancestral homes to resume normal farming activities.
Governor Alia highlighted the severe impact of armed bandit attacks on the Sankera axis, a major yam production hub. He emphasized that security is a shared responsibility and called on everyone to help eliminate these attacks.
He encouraged the formation of cooperative societies for receiving farm inputs and other benefits from his administration to foster self-reliance. He dismissed widespread reports of borrowing large sums from foreign institutions for infrastructural projects.
Governor Alia announced a contract for constructing the Sankera-Chito-Vaase Road to address the worsening insecurity in the area. He mentioned contacting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who approved the construction of more road networks in Sankera, including the Katsina-Ala Head Bridge-Hausa Quarters/Victory Bible Church Wukari Junction and the Zaki Biam Yam Market-Iwar Ior-Y-Junction roads.
He urged patience with the president, assuring that he has good intentions for the state’s development projects.
