Alia said certain APC chieftains wanted to turn Benue into their private estate, but insisted that he would not allow such practices under his administration.
The governor made the remarks on Saturday while addressing the Adamawa State Tiv Day celebration in Yola. He was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, James Iorpuu.
“The APC crisis you people are seing in Benue State is not because I’m not working for the people of the state, some chieftains of the party want to convert the state into their private estate and I said it will not happen under my leadership,” he said.
Alia maintained that his mandate came from the people of Benue, not a handful of influential politicians, adding that the electorate would ultimately determine his political future.
“There was Benue State before those individuals and there will be Benue State after those individuals, I was voted by Benue people, nobody has more than one vote, so the people of the state will decide my fate and not few individuals who believe in their families interest and not the state interest, ” he stated.
Beyond the political crisis, the governor urged Tiv people living in Adamawa State to uphold peace, unity and responsible conduct, describing them as ambassadors of Benue.
He stressed that Nigeria’s development depended on cooperation among its diverse ethnic groups, noting that no single group could build the country alone.
As part of his support for the community, Alia donated ₦5 million towards the construction of a Tiv unity house in Adamawa State, describing peace and unity as essential ingredients for development.
Representing Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Prambe, commended the Tiv community for their peaceful conduct and contributions to the state. He also assured residents of the government’s continued support in creating an environment conducive to businesses and economic activities.
“Adamawa state will continue to support all the residents of the state and provide a business friendly environment for all to boost the economic activities of the state.”, he said.
In his remarks, the President of Mdzough U Tiv in Adamawa State, Prof. Iorwuese Anum, reaffirmed the Tiv nation’s commitment to peace, unity and development.
Anum praised Fintiri’s administration for providing a welcoming environment for residents, adding that its infrastructure projects had strengthened economic activities and helped reduce security challenges.
He urged Tiv residents to remain law-abiding and pursue productive ventures that would contribute to peaceful coexistence.
The event also featured the conferment of chieftaincy titles on the Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University, Prof. Ibrahim Umar; the regional manager of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Barnabas Myaornyi; and Godwin Tyoachimin, in recognition of their contributions in their respective fields.
