The Jechira Traditional Council has threatened to banish or curse any of its sons or daughters used by money-bag politicians to destabilise Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.
The Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Ugaden, made their views known at a thanksgiving mass and reception organised by Ityo I Jechira in honour of their son, Governor Alia at St. Gabriel’s’ Parish Iorkighir, Tse-Agberagba, in Konshisha local government area of Benue State.
He said it has become necessary to make it known and clear to whom it may concern that any son or daughter of Jechira extraction that collects bribes from any political jobber to sell the governor will be severely punished.
“We the council and people of Jechira are all out to support and encourage you to succeed in delivering your campaign promises and good governance to the people of the state and any detraction by anyone will not be condoned,” he said.
The chairman of the occasion, Senator Barnabas Gemade warned the so-called stakeholders to steer clear of Governor Alia’s administration, except they have developmental ideas that will help Alia in his quest for a new Benue.
Gemade said, “Let me advise you, my dear leaders and stakeholders, that you don’t claim to enthrone a leader and then turn around to fight him back, rather you rally support for such a leader to succeed, because you will also be a part of his success at the end of the day.
“For the record, Governor Alia’s emergence as governor was a call from God, therefore nobody should stand anywhere and claim he or she made Alia the governor of the state, nor me Gemade standing before you, it is purely the act of God that made Alia the governor, and we the people of Jechira are now with one voice to rally support for our son and we are ready to crush detractors hindering the governor’s smooth operation.
“We cannot in any way allow external forces to be in the forefront of dictating what the governor should do, enough is enough and I am advising the governor to put behind him or sideline any Jechira son or daughter he notices is going the other way and immediately notify them for necessary action.”
Earlier, Governor Alia acknowledged the overwhelming support of Jechira people and the entire Benue which saw him through as the governor of the state and warned the youths against involving themselves in criminal acts, especially cultism and kidnapping which he said will not be condoned by his administration.
The governor who offered automatic employment to 39 graduates of Jerchira extraction who studied science-oriented courses at various universities, said the gesture is to encourage the youths by taking their minds away from criminalities, adding that graduates of other courses will get theirs as soon as possible, with the hope that this will help curb youth restiveness in various communities.
In a sermon, parish priest, Rev. Fr. Timothy Igbudu, said the thanksgiving mass was to express appreciation to God for choosing the governor to rule the state at this time in history.
