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Benue Will Not Be Left Behind in the Journey to a New Nigeria – By Hyacinth Alia
By: Fabian Apechihin
My dear people of Benue State,
Today, we join millions of Nigerians at home and abroad to celebrate 65 years of our independence — 65 years of resilience, diversity, and the unyielding spirit of our people.
This anniversary is both a celebration and a moment of reflection. We draw strength from the vision of our founding fathers and honor the sacrifices of our fallen heroes, both military and civilian, who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. To those still in service, we say thank you. You remain the shield of our sovereignty, and we pray for your continued safety.
Progress and Reforms
In the last two years, bold reforms have been undertaken at both state and federal levels. Though tough, these reforms are building a stronger foundation for growth. In Benue State, we have translated increased revenues into visible progress:
- Education: Over 354 schools have been renovated, 9,000 new teachers employed, and our children now learn in safer, better-equipped classrooms.
- Healthcare: Facilities have been upgraded, essential drugs provided, and access expanded. The Fr. Adasu University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, has emerged as a hub for medical tourism.
- Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, and rural access routes have been constructed, including underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko, with an overpass in Otukpo soon to commence. The Otobi Water Works is back on stream, supplying potable water to Otukpo, Otobi, and surrounding communities.
- Agriculture: Improved seeds, fertilizers, and farming inputs are reaching our farmers, reaffirming Benue’s place as Nigeria’s food basket.
- Youth and ICT: Programmes have trained 10,000 youths and women in ICT, while 40,000 civil servants are now equipped with digital tools to enhance service delivery.
- Industrialization: Investments are driving industries such as the Benue Fruit Juice Factory and the Food Basket Breweries, while new investors are joining to strengthen our value chain and create jobs.
Honoring Leaders and Securing the Future
As we move forward, we remember the service of great Benue leaders — from Aper Aku to Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, Sen. Iorchia Ayu, and many others — whose dedication laid the foundation for today’s progress. We stand on their shoulders with gratitude and pride.
Yet the journey continues. Our future demands more: advancing industrialization, deepening digital transformation, empowering youth and women, and extending governance to every community, no matter how remote.
On security, we are working tirelessly to protect our people and restore peace to all parts of Benue. Our uniformed men are making sacrifices, and though challenges remain, we are recording significant successes. With courage, intelligence, and unity, we will reclaim every inch of our land.
A Call to Unity and Hope
My dear people, let us recommit ourselves to unity: one people, one purpose, one destiny. In hardship, let us find hope; in diversity, strength; and in challenges, opportunity.
Benue will not be left behind in the journey to a new Nigeria. We will continue to work closely with the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to ensure inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
We also acknowledge our partners, friends, and the international community for standing with us on this journey of nation-building.
As we celebrate 65 years of independence, let us remember: freedom is not only a gift, but also a responsibility — one that calls for unity, resilience, and unwavering faith in a brighter tomorrow.
Long live Benue State.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Happy 65th Independence Anniversary!
— Speech by Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State, on the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
Would you like me to sharpen this into a press-release style summary (short, punchy highlights of the speech for media use), or keep it as a full ceremonial address for public reading?
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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