Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has formally accepted his victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary for the 2027 election, viewing the outcome as a testament to his administration’s achievements. Seeking a second term from 2027 to 2031, Alia emphasized that the strong backing from party members signified their trust in his leadership and developmental vision.
The primary, conducted on May 20, 2026, was announced at the party’s secretariat in Makurdi by the committee chairman, Prof. Mohammed Kabiru Isa. Alia secured 367,786 votes, far ahead of his nearest rival, Dr. Terwase Orbunde, who garnered 3,247 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Alia called for unity, extending an olive branch to other aspirants and urging them to collaborate for the party’s success in the 2027 general elections. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for ensuring a fair process, and praised the APC leadership for conducting a peaceful primary.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Alia noted progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education, industrialization, and digital innovation. He cited the revival of industries like the Zeva Premium Beer brewery and Oyi Bitters, and the construction of over 500 kilometers of roads, including underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko. In healthcare, the Benue State University Teaching Hospital was upgraded, and more than 100 primary healthcare centers were rehabilitated.
On education, Alia mentioned the construction or remodeling of over 400 classroom blocks and the recruitment of more than 10,000 teachers. The newly established Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology aims to equip students with practical skills. In digital transformation, partnerships with Microsoft and Google are training over 10,000 youths in ICT, along with e-governance training for civil servants.
Alia called for peace across political, ethnic, and religious lines, pledging to govern transparently and accountably. He described his nomination as a call to greater service rather than personal triumph.