By Peter Duru, Makurdi

A group of former governorship aspirants from Kunavland in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State has thrown its weight behind Governor Hyacinth Alia, endorsing him for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The endorsement was made on Tuesday in Makurdi during a press briefing addressed by the group in response to a recent statement issued by an association known as the Joint Kunav Governorship Aspirants, Benue State.

The Joint Kunav Governorship Aspirants had demanded among others, that Governor Alia stepped down at the end of his first tenure over poor performance and allow another candidate from Kunavland to complete the remaining for years.

Speaking on behalf of the group, a former governorship aspirants, Dr. Cletus Akwaya  said their intervention was necessary to clarify their position on the future political direction of Kunavland and Benue State as a whole.

Recalling events surrounding the 2023 governorship election, the group noted that most of them contested for the office, largely on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, before Governor Alia of the All Progressives Congress emerged winner.

They said following his emergence and subsequent approach to governance, they chose to align with him in the interest of peace, unity and development in Benue State.

“Since the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia, and his demonstrated capacity to lead with empathy, courage and justice, we have joined forces with him to develop Benue State,” the group stated.

According to them, Governor Alia’s performance in office justified their support and earned him widespread endorsements across the state. “We are convinced beyond doubt that Governor Alia is performing excellently well and deserves encouragement to continue the good work he is doing for the people of Benue State,” they said.

While affirming the constitutional right of every citizen to seek elective office, the former aspirants argued that moves to challenge Governor Alia in 2027 were premature and inconsistent with the mood of the people.

They stressed that their decision to support the governor was not driven by fear, lack of resources or inability to contest again.

“Our support is not born out of timidity or lack of capacity. We are well qualified and positioned to contest, but we have voluntarily stepped aside for the stability and rapid development of our state,” the group said.

They recalled an understanding reached among Kunav aspirants during the 2023 election cycle, which committed them to support whoever emerged governor.

Describing Governor Alia as a team player, the former aspirants said he had carried them along and reflected their shared vision for the development of Benue State.

They called on members of the Joint Kunav Governorship Aspirants to reconsider their stance and align with Governor Alia in the overall interest of Kunavland and the state at large.