Father Alia Receives Certificate of Return in Benue

By Sunny A. Ijomah

The All Progressives Congress, APC candidate for the 2023 Benue State Governorship Election, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has received a certificate of return, cementing his victory as the governor-elect of the state.

The certificate was presented to Rev. Fr. Alia by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister Festus Okoye, at a ceremony held at the Precious Event Centre in Makurdi on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023.

The event was attended by political leaders, supporters, and well-wishers of Rev. Fr. Alia, who gathered to witness the presentation of the certificate.

Speaking at the ceremony, Barrister Okoye congratulated Father Alia on his victory and commended him for his commitment to the electoral process.

‘I want to commend Father Alia for his commitment to the democratic process and for his exemplary conduct throughout the election period. His victory is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of Benue State have in him,’ Barrister Okoye stated.

Father Alia, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the people of Benue State for their support and promised to work tirelessly to improve their lives.

Father Alia also thanked INEC and the security agencies for conducting free, fair, and credible elections and promised to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to move the state forward.

The governor-elect defeated the incumbent speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Titus Uba of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in a keenly contested election held on March 18. His victory has been hailed by many as a significant milestone in the political history of the state.

With the presentation of the certificate of return, Father Alia is now poised to take over the reins of power in Benue State, come May 29th and begin the task of governance for the benefit of the Benue