Alia pledges 620,000 votes for Tinubu in 2027, says APC growing stronger in Benue

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has pledged to deliver at least 620,000 votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, more than double the 310,468 votes the President secured in the state during the 2023 presidential poll.

Governor Alia made the declaration on Monday while speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He was accompanied by former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam.

The governor expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would consolidate its hold on Benue and significantly improve the President’s electoral performance in the next general election.

“I am very confident that, just as I won the election the first time, we are going to double the numbers for him. APC will continue to remain one strong force, and we are going to make it good for him and for the entire Benue State as well,” Alia said.

President Tinubu won the February 2023 presidential election in Benue with 310,468 votes, narrowly defeating Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, who polled 308,372 votes—a margin of just 2,096 votes. The result marked a significant political shift in the state, long regarded as a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under former Governor Samuel Ortom, who publicly backed Obi during the election.

Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Alia said he briefed the President on the security situation in Benue, the status of internally displaced persons (IDPs), ongoing efforts to restore normalcy, and the current farming season.

He noted that although security had improved considerably, pockets of insecurity remained, requiring sustained government intervention.

“Previously, we’ve had lots of security attacks. It has calmed down. The President needed to know the current situation of the IDPs in the state. This is the farming season, and Benue is the food basket of the nation. While many displaced persons are voluntarily returning home, there are still security concerns, and I updated Mr President on how we are addressing them,” he explained.

The governor also informed President Tinubu of former Governor Gabriel Suswam’s decision to align with the APC, describing the development as a major boost to the party in Benue.

“I am here with the former Governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam, who has also joined ranks with the APC. Someone of his political stature needed to interface directly with Mr President,” Alia said.

Reacting to concerns over disagreements within the APC following the party’s recent primaries, the governor acknowledged the agitations but expressed optimism that party members would soon close ranks.

“I know there are some agitations among APC faithful after the primaries, but I believe everything will calm down. Mr President is a democrat who understands these issues. He is a grassroots politician,” he stated.

Alia further appreciated President Tinubu for identifying with Benue during the state’s recent 50th anniversary celebration, noting that the President was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who commissioned a fruit concentrate factory during the event.

According to the governor, additional projects, including a beer factory and a fruit juice factory, are awaiting commissioning, while the First Lady recently inaugurated 10 urban renewal road projects across the state.

“We came to thank Mr President for honouring Benue at 50 and to brief him on the overall situation in the state,” Alia added.