The year 2025 will come to an end on Wednesday, December 31. The following day, Thursday, will usher in the 2026 New Year. 2025 has ended, and 2026 is born.
A new year comes with renewed hope. People set targets and work towards achieving them. As the people of Benue State, like the rest of Nigerians, look longingly into 2026, it is worth recalling some of the events that made headline news in 2025 as far as Benue State is concerned.
January 2025: The Executive Governor of Benue State, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Asôrtar-U-Tiv, signed into law the ₦550.1bn Benue 2025 budget. He also launched a 10-Year Development Plan, as well as Nutrition and Social Protection policies for Nigeria’s Food Basket State.
The 2025 budget was christened the Budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security, and the Digital Economy. According to the governor, the signing of the budget and the launch of the development plan marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the state. A groundwork was laid for a future where every Benue citizen has the opportunity to succeed, live in dignity, and contribute to the growth of the state.
February 2025: The Benue State Assembly, under the leadership of the then Speaker, Mr. Aondona Dajoh, passed a resolution to remove the Chief Judge of Benue State, His Lordship Justice Maurice Ahemba Ikpambese. The House also recommended the swearing-in of the next most senior judicial officer.
The Chief Judge was accused of violating judicial ethics, allegedly overturning the Benue State Electoral Law, misappropriation of the judiciary’s 2024 budgetary allocation, undue favouritism, engagement with politicians, and indirectly supporting the judicial workers’ strike.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), through its President, Mr. Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, condemned the Assembly’s resolution as unconstitutional.
After reviewing the petitions against Justice Ikpambese, the National Judicial Council (NJC) found him guilty of no wrongdoing. Justice Ikpambese has since resumed his duties.
March 2025: Governor Hyacinth Alia accused politicians of politicising insecurity in the state as waves of attacks resumed after a brief lull.
Scores were killed in Ukum, Logo, Guma, Gwer West, Agatu, Otukpo, and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas in renewed attacks on farming communities by armed groups linked to cattle owners.
Fr. Alia condemned the attacks and urged those without solutions to “step back,” assuring that Benue would overcome the challenges.
April 2025: The Community Policing Project was launched in Benue State through a joint effort between the Benue State Government and Lawyers Alert (LA).
Fr. Alia described security as a collective responsibility requiring active citizen participation. His message was simple: If you see something, say something.
May 2025: Fr. Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) were endorsed for second terms on May 29, 2025, marking their second anniversary as Governor and President respectively.
The endorsement motion was moved by Mr. Benjamin Omale, Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Benue State, and seconded by Senator Barnabas Gemade, Chairman of the APC Elders Forum. It was adopted by several political leaders, including ALGON officials, Assembly leadership, and lawmakers across party lines.
Thousands who attended the anniversary celebration at Ibrahim Babangida Square, Makurdi, chorused support for the motion, citing what they described as the governor’s “unprecedented achievements.”
June 2025: Armed men attacked Yelewata, a border town in Guma LGA, killing dozens. Some victims were burned beyond recognition as houses were set ablaze. Food items and valuables were destroyed, with residents accusing security forces of negligence.
Protests erupted in Makurdi following the attacks. Although police dispersed protesters with tear gas, the demonstrations highlighted public outrage over continued killings.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid a condolence visit to Benue State and ordered security chiefs, including the IGP and CDS, to arrest perpetrators. He also directed the DSS and NIA to intensify intelligence gathering.
On June 19, police announced the arrest of two prime suspects. Seven more were arrested on June 20, and an additional 18 suspects on June 22.
July 2025: Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, visited Makurdi on July 29 and announced a ₦1bn humanitarian intervention under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
She described the humanitarian situation in Benue as distressing and pledged continued federal support. Governor Alia revealed that over 1.5 million people remained displaced and stressed the need for security reforms.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe, stating that attacks had displaced at least 500,000 people living in dire conditions.
August 2025: On August 24, the Benue Assembly held an emergency sitting and elected Mr. Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, 36, as Speaker, following the resignation of Mr. Aondona Dajoh.
Mr. Emberga had just been recalled from a three-month suspension less than 30 minutes before his election.
In his resignation letter, Mr. Dajoh said he stepped down “in good faith and in the best interest of the state.”
September 2025: Governor Alia disbursed ₦5m each to the families of 76 security personnel killed in active duty. Beneficiaries included families of personnel from the Police, NSCDC, military, Civil Protection Guards, and Operation Zenda.
He pledged continued support, scholarships for children, and inclusion of families in state welfare programs.
October 2025: Chief Sebastine Hon, SAN, led three other SANs and 46 lawyers in defending Prof. Zacharys Anger Gundu in a ₦100.5bn suit filed by the Nasarawa State Government.
The suit stemmed from comments Prof. Gundu made during a News Central TV town hall meeting. Several groups expressed solidarity with him. The case was adjourned to January 2026.
November 2025: A national debate erupted over whether killings in Benue constitute genocide, following remarks by Governor Alia denying the existence of religious or ethnic genocide in the state.
His comments were interpreted by some as countering narratives pushing for Nigeria to be declared a Country of Particular Concern.
December 2025: Senator George Akume, SGF, declined a Tiv honorific chieftaincy title, making history. The ceremony took place on December 13 in Gboko.
On Christmas Eve, Akume made headlines again with the arrival of his new wife. He turned 72 three days later.
On December 22, Governor Alia presented the ₦605.5bn 2026 budget, titled Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support, and Sustained Growth.
2026 Outlook: Reconciliation appears imminent between Governor Alia and Senator Akume ahead of the 2027 elections. President Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, stressed the importance of unity.
Rural development will dominate 2026, with over 30% of capital expenditure allocated to rural roads and infrastructure.
Political appointees seeking elective offices are expected to resign ahead of INEC deadlines.
Analysts also warn of a difficult year for farmers due to climate uncertainty and falling commodity prices.
2026 is here. The events that will shape the year and subsequently, 2027 will soon become bare.
