By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state has explained that he refers to himself as the Governor for the masses because of his belief in working for the greater majority of the people and not a selected few or a group of stakeholders.

He made the clarification when he spoke Sunday at the reception to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of the former Governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam in Makurdi.

The Governor who acknowledged that he was an ethicist noted that “in dealing with ethics there is a common principle you work towards, which is the greater good for the greater majority. Doing good to the greater number of people.

“And when you are where I am it becomes so difficult. Only Deputy Governors and Governors can testify to this.

“But then whether you like to make that decision or not, it behoves on you and it becomes an onus on you to make the decision for the greater majority of the people. The greater good for the greater number of the people.

“It is not a very small decision and when you hear people talking bad against administrations particularly the ones that are performing, to me I urge you not to be too bothered.

“Do not be too bothered. Once you pray that Benue survives, that the state moves from grace to grace, I am quite fine. This is why I call myself the Governor of the masses.

“We are working for the greater number of the people in the state. Not just the stakeholders and not just a small number of people.

“The person we are celebrating, Senator Gabriel Suswam, brought all his ideas ad thinking and handiwork for the greater number of people in Benue state, that is why his name still lingers.”

The Governor who pointed out that his relationship with Senator Suswam dated back to their days as teenagers said the fact that they belong to different political parties would certainly not dwarf their age-long friendship.