The Alternative Movement has called on political leaders in Benue State to put aside their differences and unite ahead of the 2027 general elections. The movement's convener, Otunba Showunmi, made the appeal at a town hall meeting in Makurdi, themed "Bridging the Divide, Building Trust Through Shared Purpose." Showunmi emphasized that the state must position itself to play a greater role in Nigeria's political future. He warned that political rivalries must not overshadow the urgent need to tackle insecurity, youth unemployment, and other challenges confronting the state.
Showunmi urged leaders to place the collective interest of Benue above personal ambitions and partisan differences. He noted that the Federal Government had reorganized the country's security architecture and established military formations in the region to strengthen protection for residents. The movement's convener also urged the people to remain hopeful, citing that the challenges facing Benue had attracted wider national and international attention. However, he stressed that external interventions must be matched with collective efforts by political leaders, families, and community stakeholders to restore peace and improve security.
The state coordinator of the movement, Adai Edwin Adai, also called on Governor Hyacinth Alia, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and other political leaders to reconcile their differences in the interest of peace and a successful 2027 general election. Adai emphasized that reconciliation did not require political leaders to abandon their legitimate positions but demanded a willingness to listen, make compromises, and prioritize the public interest. He warned that ordinary citizens bore the greatest burden of prolonged political tension.
Adai noted that ordinary citizens, particularly farmers, traders, unemployed youths, and vulnerable households, were negatively impacted by political tension. He urged political actors to strengthen democracy by maintaining peace despite their differences and ensuring that governance translated into tangible benefits for the people. Adai commended Governor Alia's efforts in road construction, primary healthcare, and other intervention programs, but stressed that more needed to be done to address the state's challenges.
Showunmi and Adai emphasized that the collective effort of leaders and citizens was crucial to addressing Benue's challenges. They cited roads that had remained unattended for years but were now receiving attention under the current administration. The duo urged residents to assess the performance of the current administration against those of previous governments. They also stressed that the state's progress depended on the ability of leaders to work together and prioritize the public interest.
The Alternative Movement's call for unity among Benue leaders comes as the state prepares for the 2027 general elections. The movement's town hall meeting in Makurdi was attended by various stakeholders, including politicians, civil society groups, and community leaders. The event provided a platform for participants to discuss the challenges facing the state and the need for collective action to address them.
The movement's advocacy for unity and cooperation among Benue leaders is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the state's progress and stability. The Alternative Movement has urged all stakeholders to work together to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for Benue State.
Key points
- The Alternative Movement urges Benue leaders to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- Leaders must prioritize the collective interest of Benue above personal ambitions and partisan differences.
- Collective efforts by leaders, families, and community stakeholders are crucial to restoring peace and improving security in the state.
