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Former governorship aspirants from Kunav in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State have declared their support for Governor Hyacinth Alia’s second-term bid, urging other political stakeholders from the area to shelve their ambitions and align with the governor.
The position was made known in Makurdi during a press briefing where the group said its intervention followed a recent statement issued on February 6, 2026, by an association known as the “Joint Kunav Governorship Aspirants,” comprising aspirants from the PDP, ADC, APGA and APC, who are reportedly nursing governorship ambitions ahead of 2027 to unseat the current occupant.
Dr. Cletus Akwaya on behalf of the others to include, Dr. Boniface Jirbo, Pharmacist Hon. Peter Chieshe, Dr. Zua Tule and Chief Mrs. Suzan Waya, however, said although they respect the constitutional rights of their colleagues to contest elections, they believe the move to seek the governorship in 2027 is ill-timed.
The former aspirants emphasised that the Governor Alia administration has demonstrated capacity, empathy and leadership competence since assuming office in 2023 and deserves broad-based support to consolidate on his achievements.
They noted that most of them contested the 2023 governorship election, largely on the platform of the PDP, but decided to subordinate their personal ambitions for the overall development and stability of the state.
The group maintained that their decision to support Alia was voluntary and not borne out of fear, lack of capacity or inadequate resources, stressing that they remain qualified to contest the position.
They recalled that prior to the 2023 election, the aspirants had adopted the motto, “All for one and one for all,” agreeing to support whoever emerged victorious.
The former aspirants said Governor Alia has shown himself to be a team player by carrying along stakeholders from Kunav and other parts of the state in governance.
They therefore called on members of the “Joint Kunav Governorship Aspirants” to respect their earlier understanding and realign with the governor in the interest of Kunavland and Benue State.
The group also commended the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Rt. Hon. Titus Uba, as well as other political leaders from Jechira, including Chief Barnabas Gemade and Chief Julius Atorough, for supporting the governor.
They said their public appeal was necessary given that the leadership of Benue State affects over six million residents and goes beyond private political relationships.
