We’ve Commenced Our Second ‘Missionary’ Journey For Re-election Of Alia – Iorpuu – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

MAKURDI: Convener, Divine Mandate for Alia for Governor, Sir James Iorpuu, said the group has commenced its second ‘missionary’ journey, for the re-election of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, for a second term in office so he can complete 8 years as governor of the state.

Divine Mandate, is the platform initiated by Sir Iorpuu, in 2023, that dragged Governor Alia to contest the 2023 election and also worked for him to emerge as governor during the election.

Sir Iorpuu, who is also the Executive Secretary (ES), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), disclosed that the group has entered its second phase at the Thanksgiving service for the group, held on Sunday at Christ the King Parish, Damkor, Gboko Diocese, where the initiative of Alia to contest for the election in 2023 was hatched.

The Thanksgiving was organised to appreciate God for blessing the project and thank Him that everything went well based on the idea he conceived years ago and to also praise God for being with them through the years.

He further observed that although, the Thanksgiving was delayed, it was pertinent to return and give thanks to God and also receive the blessings of God for the journey ahead.

According to the Convener, he met with Governor Alia, at the parish house, on 28th April, 2019, whilst he was then serving as priest at the parish and persuaded him to come out for the election.

Iorpuu explained that he was prompted to initiate the move shortly after the re-election of the immediate past Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, in 2019, as part of a larger plan to rescue Benue from alleged misrule.

He noted that their intentions yielded the desired results and Alia was elected governor and two years down the line Alia has done so much, including “resurrecting the dead”, and giving pensioners in the state the hope to live again.

The ES pointed out that “we have now entered the second phase of the journey for Governor Alia to complete his 8 years, so those of you who do not have a voters’ card and those who have attained the age of 18 years should take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) exercise and get registered.”

Speaking for the Etulo community, a stakeholder for the group in the area, Joseph Adi, said, the occasion was symbolic in the sense that it has provided the platform for the renewal of the mandate, that was conceived years back.

Also, the Woman Leader, Etulo community, worldwide, Chief Mrs Comfort Rufus, appreciated Governor Alia, for lifting the Etulo people out of the doldrums and also providing them with job opportunities.

She stated that considering the good works the governor doing, including the planned construction of three roads in the area, if she had the powers, she world have worked for him to do three terms in office.

The Parish Priest, Rev Fr Alfred Akuraga, who observed that the parish was the root of the governor Alia, mandate, prays that it would continue to grow and bear more fruit.

Sir Iorpuu later addressed elders as well as party faithfuls in the community.

Those that accompanied the Convener to the Thanksgiving service include members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Divine Mandate; its Directors, members of the group across the state as well as party and council officials of the group in Buruku local government areas of the state.