The Ior-Jemgbagh Development Association has expressed its solidarity with Fr Hyacinth Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, in dismissing claims by a rival group, the Jemgbagh Development Association (JEMDA), that the governor is working against the interests of the Jemgbagh people. JEMDA is led by former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Mr Yandev Amaabai.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Mr Tivlumun Aminde, Secretary of the Ior-Jemgbagh Development Association, on behalf of the group, described JEMDA’s claims as “misrepresentation of facts, falsehood aimed at causing disaffection and inciting the people of Jemgbagh against the Governor of Benue State.”
The association highlighted Fr Alia’s numerous development projects in Jemgbagh area, including the construction of roads; underpass in Gboko; Ikyese street Gboko; storey building block at Primary School Agidi-Mbatiav, and St. James Primary school Genyi Yandev; Mbaanue basic health clinic-Mbatiav; ongoing construction of Ateku-Ikpenger-Akpegher Road; establishment of Science and Technical School Ateku Mbatiav; and construction of the Ring Road from the New Road running through Low Coast to Old Barn to St. Joseph Catholic Church Tyobo, terminating at under-pass at Gyado junction-under construction, over 2000 solar-powered boreholes.
“His Excellency has also awarded 30 micro projects in clinics and schools, as well as motorised boreholes scattered around Gboko, Buruku, and Tarka LGAs via the ALIA-CARES or BEN CARES program. Through the ACresal program, our local cooperatives have benefited from the grant of over Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000) in facilitating their local farming and other investment activities,” Mr Aminde said in the statement.
They also noted the governor’s social intervention programmes, which have benefited over 2,500 households in Jemgbagh, amounting to Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Million Naira (N375m)—one hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150,000) per household.
The Ior-Jemgbagh group acknowledged Fr. Alia’s commitment to inclusivity, pointing out that individuals of Jemgbagh extraction have been given key roles in government, including commissioners, special advisers, and other high-ranking positions.
The Fr. Alia administration has appointed 57 persons from Jemgbagh into key positions. Others serve in the State Executive Council as Commissioners, one each from Gboko, Buruku, and Tarka Local Government Areas (LGAs)—the LGAs that comprise Jemgbagh.
In dismissing JEMDA as not representing the voice or position of the people of Jemgbagh, Ior-Jemgbagh Development Association called on the rival group to desist from further attacks on the person and office of the Governor of Benue State.
Part of the statement reads: “That Aondona Dajoh voluntarily resigned his position as speaker of the State House of Assembly, and the House thereafter exercised its constitutional power to elect a new speaker, and this has nothing to do with the governor of the state.
“The position of the Jemgbagh Development Association of absurdity and reprehensible consistent attempt by the Governor of Benue State to undermine the person and office of the SGF is grossly untrue, as these claims are misleading. The SGF remains a vital institution in our governance structure. We urge the public to disregard the baseless assertions and focus on promoting the government’s tangible achievements and the welfare of the entire Benue People. We, the Ior-Jemgbagh people, shall continue to respect the SGF, a distinguished son of Jemgbagh.
“On the issue of mistreatment of Tor Jemgbagh HRH Afaityo Ajoko and Ter Gboko, HRH Gabriel Shosum, as alleged by the Jemgbagh Development Association, we want to put the records straight that the place where Tor Jemgbagh was staying was a Government Guest House that was given to him as a temporally accommodation and not his palace. He was only asked to relocate when the government finished renovating his permanent residence, the palace.
“We further state that the Governor, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, did not disrespect the Ter Gboko in the said church service as alleged, but rather maintained a cordial relationship with the Royal Father, as is evident in the recent donation of a Toyota Hilux Vehicle to the Ter Gboko.
“Finally, we state categorically that the leadership of Jemgbagh Development Association and their cohorts do not represent the voice or position of the Jemgbagh people; therefore, their position is baseless, null and void. We call on the Jemgbagh Development Association to henceforth desist from further attacks on the person and the office of the governor.
“We wish to state clearly that we have not witnessed such unprecedented development carried out in Jemgbagh area as currently been carried out by His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
“The cooperation, the Ior-Jemgbagh Development Association is seeking is to build not to destroy, to gather not to scatter, and to rationalise not to factionalise.
“So, we appeal to all Jemgbagh sons and daughters and all the good people of Benue State to allow His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, who came in peace to continue peacefully with the fast development of the state.”
