By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has inaugurated a new State Executive Committee (SEC) following its State Congress in Makurdi, where all 36 officials were elected through voice affirmation.

Chairman of the Benue APC Congress Committee, Dr. Auwalu Ishiye, who supervised the exercise Tuesday in Makurdi, alongside the committee’s Secretary, Mr. Tijani Abdullahi, said the process complied with party guidelines and reflected internal cohesion within the state chapter.

“All the 36 positions were filled through affirmation in line with party procedures,” Ishiye announced after administering the oath of office to the newly elected officials.

He described the congress as “credible, peaceful and transparent,” adding that it underscored the supremacy of the party in managing its internal affairs, noting that the ward, local government and state congresses were conducted without rancour.

Addressing party faithful, Governor Alia expressed appreciation for what he termed the maturity and patriotism displayed by members throughout the congress process. “I am because you are. You make the wheels of governance turn, and I assure you we will not rest until good governance is fully entrenched in Benue State,” he said.

The Governor described the congress as seamless and lauded the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party for ensuring smooth exercises nationwide saying “In Benue, the congress has been peaceful, credible and transparent. We must continue to demonstrate who we are as a progressive party committed to development.”

Charging the new executive members, Alia urged them to treat their emergence as a responsibility to serve with integrity.

“See this as a call to service. Serve with honesty and commitment. A new Benue is possible, and the process has already begun, there is no turning back,” he declared.

He further assured the people that his administration would continue to prioritise development across sectors, insisting that the state must remain politically relevant in the North-Central region. “We cannot just be a statistic; we must remain strong and united,” he added.

Chairman of the Benue APC Elders Forum, Senator Barnabas Gemade, said the emergence of the new executives marked another milestone in strengthening the party’s structure.

Gemade noted that past and present leadership from Benue North East had demonstrated capacity in governance, while expressing optimism that other zones would also have opportunities to lead the state in the future.

He praised Governor Alia’s performance in agriculture, security, commerce and youth empowerment, describing it as impactful.

Similarly, Dr. Hinga Biem, speaking on behalf of Benue North West (Zone B), commended the governor for executing people-oriented projects within his first three years in office. “We will continue to stand with him to sustain the progress recorded so far,” Biem said.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected State APC Chairman, Mr. Benjamin Omale, pledged to reposition the party as an inclusive and formidable political platform. “APC must remain a home for everyone, young and old. Our task is to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and consolidate our electoral gains,” he said.

He urged members to put aside political differences in the interest of unity and progress. “This is the time to close ranks, forgive and work together. Unity must replace division,” he stressed.

Omale assured that the new executive would work closely with the governor to ensure the success of his administration saying “our mission is to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every corner of Benue. Together, we will move the party and the state forward,” he said.

Other state officials sworn-in included the State Deputy Chairman, Mr. Alphonsus Indyar; State Secretary, Mr. Solomon Kachinah; Legal Adviser, Teehemen Ngbea; Treasurer, Samuel Imenger; and Organising Secretary, Mr. James Ornguga among others.

Also inaugurated at the congress were newly elected Local Government Chairmen and Secretaries.