Comrade Daniel Onjeh, the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate for Benue South, has declared that Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia remains on course for re-election in 2027, despite what he described as ongoing campaigns of calumny and coordinated attacks against the administration.

In a press release issued in Makurdi, Onjeh dismissed the criticisms and alleged smear campaigns as deliberate distractions orchestrated by vested interests intent on undermining the Alia government. 

He insisted that Governor Alia’s performance in office has already secured widespread trust and goodwill among Benue residents.

Onjeh credited the administration with visible and people-oriented achievements, stating that its record surpasses that of previous governments since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. 

He highlighted the government’s discipline, focus, and commitment to addressing the needs of ordinary citizens, rather than catering to elite political interests.

The former Chairman of the Governing Board of the Project Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, described the current transformation in Benue State as “quiet but deliberate,” pointing to ongoing infrastructure development and policy-driven interventions. 

According to Onjeh, Governor Alia’s approach is characterized by results-oriented governance, rather than publicity or theatrics.

Onjeh argued that critics who downplay the administration’s achievements would be surprised by the end of Alia’s first term, predicting that the scope of the governor’s record would become undeniable. He said Alia’s calm and measured leadership, guided by clerical and moral principles, is already easing hardship for many residents.

The press release further stated that the administration’s policies are gradually relieving the suffering of Benue communities, many of which have endured years of deprivation. Onjeh emphasized that reversing such entrenched poverty requires patience, sacrifice, and firm leadership.

He attributed the current resistance to the loss of privileges by individuals benefiting from previous administrations. According to him, the “sponsored attacks” are reactions from those who no longer have influence or access under the new government.

Onjeh contrasted the present administration’s record with that of past governments, claiming that previous leaders left behind unpaid salaries and uncompleted projects without facing the level of criticism now directed at Alia. He suggested that the current scrutiny is both revealing and instructive.

He also rejected allegations against the APC-led administration, stating that if they were valid, there would be widespread public protests. Instead, he argued, the people of Benue support a leader who prioritizes their welfare over political patronage.

Onjeh concluded by expressing confidence in Governor Alia’s chances for re-election, asserting that the people of Benue recognize the benefits of continuity and would not return to previous political arrangements. He maintained that performance and public support would ultimately prevail over campaigns of calumny.