Senator George Akume became governor in 1999 at the young age of 46, significantly younger than some of his current media and political advisors. My mentor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, assumed the governorship at 43 in 2007. While he made his mistakes, he has remained humble to this day.
Samuel Ortom took office at 54 in 2015. However, despite his campaign promises, he left us with considerable arrears.
Written by Solomon Semaka
Now, let’s consider the present: His Excellency Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia became governor at the age of 56, armed with a PhD and over 30 years of pastoral experience in Nigeria and America. Twenty of those years included postgraduate studies, with extensive exposure in managing the health directorate of the Catholic Church in the U.S., overseeing a significant budget and diverse teams.
Many may not know Alia’s substantial background, but even as a priest, fellow governors respected his experience and wisdom. He was my neighbor during Suswam’s governorship, and I recall how Suswam honored him, reflecting a longstanding respect.
With age, experience, exposure, and education on his side, it’s safe to say that Governor Alia holds a prime position of preparedness for leadership. He entered office with ample time to observe past administrations, learning valuable lessons on what not to repeat.
Should a governor with such impressive credentials take lessons in leadership from Akume or Ortom in the name of party unity? What purpose does this serve? Historically, such unification has often only benefited the political class, leading to the diversion of salaries, pensions, and bailouts.
Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia is open to collaborating with those whose vision aligns with his administration’s goals but will not participate in gatherings focused on privatizing the state’s patrimony. If unity relies on blackmail and intimidation, it is bound to fail because complacency has no place in Alia’s administration.
This governor, firmly grounded in faith, is diligently executing his duties within the legal time frame. I assure you, if the older politicians were to disappear, many young leaders would rise to advocate for the preservation and protection of the governor’s mandate.
We have faith, resources, and, crucially, the support of the people who desire progress and prosperity. Whether seeking peace, progress, or prosperity, this government is poised to meet your needs.
Governor Hyacinth Alia truly has solutions for both the good and the troubled in Benue.
