Opposition crumbles: Six Governors defect to ruling party amidst praise for good policies

Defection galore from opposition Stalwarts analysts attributed to good governance in Benue State, drummed the support and received accolades, as a result of massive infrastructural strides, prudent financial management, industrialization, in just two and four months old Alia-led APC administration in the State.

Henry Iyorkase delved into the two and a half years of Alia-led APC leadership in Benue State and why political juggernauts from people, the Democratic Party (PDP), as well as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including the Labour Party (LP), are massively defecting to the ruling party in the state.

Political observers and gladiators, and onlookers expressed satisfaction over unprecedented improvement in the areas of insecurity and infrastructural development, issues that spread comprising the three senatorial Districts in the State.

Nowhere is spared of monumental efforts, for instance, in the South senatorial District, for example, Otobi water works, which was hitherto moribund, is resuscitated; there are water suppliers currently in those areas, and other Massive ongoing road constructions are taking place there for the populace.

For instance, Benue North East is compensated with a new University of Science, Technology and Agriculture at Ihugh in Vandeikya. While Benue North West Senatorial District benefited Underpass project in Makurdi, Gboko, the ancient Town of the Tiv Nation, which houses Tor Tiv Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse

Hence the sixth Democracttically elected Governor of Benue State Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia on ssumption of mantle of Leadership on 29th May, 2023 he did not leave any observers neither political watchers over his seven points agenda which included prompt payment of salaries arrears, clearance of accumulated pensions, indebtedness to the contractors running about 150 billion naira debt profile unable to settled arious contracts agreement for those who have completed their projects at different times during the immediate past administration.

However, restated the commitment to ensure no one is owed, to this end, the current dispensation settled those who were Indebted in peacemeal, consequently leading to the current position to date. In most cases, all the debts are fully paid within these two and half years spanned of Alia’s governance in the saddle.

While taking the oath of office held at Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida IBB Square, Makurdi, the sixth elected State chief executive security officer at different times made it abundantly clear that his administration will not compromise on sharing of public Funds to individuals nor hangers on.

Subsequently pledged to engage the federal government to dredge River Benue towards ensuring a permanent solution to flooding in the State, besides these promises to bring succour to the poorer, adding that we have commenced negotiations with credible partners for soft credit facilities to women across the twenty-three Councils, assuring it is a revolving facility based on sooner repayment.

“Some of the declarations included faced with situations of sustained insecurity non non-payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuitous, dilapidated infrastructure, broken economy, Civil Service, massive unemployment, endemic Corruption, the list amongst others is really astonishing.

Interestingly, their concerted efforts have brought about relative peace as normalcy has been restored in the State, with scores of skirmishes, though not pronounced anymore. Provision of state-of-the-art infrastructural, prompt payment of salaries, including pensions and gratuities, reformed in the Civil service, endemic corruption addressed often, top government functionaries involved in the acts of fraud were shown the way out instantly and even prosecuted, hence, the current dispensation does not take kindly to criminality

Since the inception of the broom Mantra from the Federal Government to the states, it’s the good policies that are driving defection galore in recent times. No fewer than six opposition governors recently joined the ruling party to identify with the winning party and add value to the successes so far recorded in the country.

Why the coming on heels of African Democratic Congress (ADC) already depleted the ranks of the Major opposition party, for example, Peoples Democratic Party, some therefore felt their aspirations are threatened, no longer bear the pressure and throw in the towel.

Besides the lack of political ideology in the opposition party, as its key players, particularly those who lost their elections, especially the party bigwigs, resigned afterwards and defected to the ruling party in gloves instead of staying ut and waiting for the next time whether polls might favour them, instead of jettisoning the party.

Though in this case all the decampees have expressed the resolve ” we, remove to pitch a tent with revolutionary measures, led to a turnaround in all facets of life. ”

” Ironically, soon after the polls, the other parties would become in disarray as a section of the stalwarts would create a sharp division aimed at tearing the party apart to give the party a bad name, to defect to the ruling and participate in the stomach infrastructure. ”

By and large, some of those decampees to the ruling party included foremost former governorship contender, under the banner of People’s Democratic Party, ex Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii.

Professor David Iornem, Dr Boniface Jibo, Dr Cletus Akwaya, House of Representatives member representing Apa, Agatu Hon 0jema 0jotu, formerly of Labour Party (LP), defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC others too included so forth.

In his comment, Dr Boniface Jibo disclosed his decision was influenced not by financial benefits but attributed the decision to being fascinated by the monumental strides in areas of education, industrialization, food basket brewery, establishment of juice factory, bakery, and a host of others, thereby prompting his desire to join the party.

Observers hinted this is just the tip of the iceberg as more stalwarts from other parties are disposed to defect in large numbers before this year runs out, adding that the current dispensation is doing marvelously in major critical sectors, therefore many are attracted to join the bandwagon and be part of the winning team.

Understanding the morale of human values, Alia recently compensated the spouses with five million naira each wives of the security operatives who lost their lives in active service while fighting to protect the citizens of the state also promised to offer scholarships to the children of the affected families..

Furthermore, he announced his desire to allocate a plot of land for their wives of the survivors to settle in Benue and take on business ventures with the money presented to them, enable live happily and pledged to stand behind the affected families in any circumstances to enhance their well-being.

At the Massive pre-decamping dinner which took Place at Benue Government House in Makurdi, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia stated that he was truly delighted to see the multitude of political gladiators and other progressives who are eager to join the All Progressives Congress.

According to him, the doors are open for the influx of all and sundry into the ruling party, promising Fairness, equity and justice to both old and new members.

At the stakeholders forum recently, about 5,000 stalwarts from other opposition parties joined the broom revolution party in the state.

Addressing the mammoth crowd at the occasion Professor Stephen Torkuma Ugbah, one time Governorship candidate on the defunt Alliance Congress of Nigeria ACN later metamophasomed All Progressives Congress has declared no vacancy for Makurdi, Benue Government stressing the incumbent as matter of necessity must complete his 2nd tenure come 2027 urging those warming up to contest and dislodged Alia to forgo their aspirations noting all the senatorial Districts are intact for incumbent due to his excellent performance in all spheres of human endeavours. Also included his impactful Leadership and oriented policies, and produced financial management.

Other heavyweights from the opposition are trooping into the party because they want to identify with the successes fa just two and four months of the present dispensation.

Analysts in their opinions have foreclosed the chances of an outsider coming and replacing Alia and his cohorts because of the foot soldiers working around the clock towards ensuring his re-election ticket is guaranteed come rain or sunshine.

All eyes within and outside focused on the duo of Alia/Ode’s joint ticket for re-election to come back and consolidate on the good work they have already started. Political pundits argued that the incumbent is poised to win there at all costs ahead of the forthcoming polls if all things are equal. There is no credible alternative to the Reverend Father.