Leaders and stakeholders in Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State have rallied behind the administration of Fr. Hyacinth Alia, urging the people of the area to unite and support the governor’s re-election bid in 2027.
The call came on Friday, August 21, at a reception organised in honour of Mr Kuma Aii Iyenge, shortly after Fr. Alia swore him in as a commissioner in the Benue State Executive Council.
Speaking at the reception, the Governor’s Pointman for Buruku, Sir Alex Addingi, described Mr Iyenge as a distinguished son of the area, political strategist, mobiliser, businessman, farmer, and grassroots politician whose appointment reflected his competence, capacity, humility, and experience.
Sir Addingi congratulated the new commissioner and expressed confidence that he would deploy his wealth of experience and strong grassroots connection to the service of Benue State.
He thanked Fr. Alia for finding Mr Iyenge worthy of the appointment. He pledged continued support for the governor’s administration, particularly efforts towards peace, unity and development in Buruku and the state.
Also speaking, the APC Chairman in Buruku, Mr Terver Achagh, said the party was excited about Mr Iyenge’s appointment, describing it as a blessing to the people of the area.
Mr Achagh commended Fr. Alia for what he described as achievements in infrastructure development, employment, economic development, and the welfare of civil servants and pensioners, urging the people of Buruku to continue supporting the administration and its 2027 re-election bid.
Another stakeholder, Mr Manasseh Kyernum, described Mr Iyenge’s appointment as a reflection of “God’s visit” to the APC in Buruku, saying his previous performance as Ward Pointman showed he had the competence to deliver in a higher capacity.
Mr. Kyernum, however, urged the commissioner not to remain in Makurdi but regularly visit rural communities in Buruku to identify their challenges and ensure that government was responsive to their needs.
Responding, Mr. Iyenge attributed his appointment to God and thanked Fr. Alia for considering him and Buruku worthy of representation in the cabinet.
He called for an end to divisions among the people of Buruku, likening the area to a tree with a trunk, branches, and roots, and said unity remained essential to achieving peace and development.
“I have come for peace and development. Let us all see my coming as a starting point for unity, peace and progress,” Mr. Iyenge said, urging the people to put the differences of the past behind them and embrace a new chapter of development.
The new commissioner also called on the people to support Fr. Alia beyond 2027, saying Buruku should not “vote for others” but vote for itself by retaining the governor in office for another four years.
He said the people of the area should see continuity under Fr. Alia as a pathway to consolidating development and ensuring that the state remains on the path of progress.
