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By Tracy Moses
The Convener of the Divine Mandate for Alia for Governor, Sir James Iorpuu, has announced that the movement has commenced its second “missionary” journey to secure the re-election of Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for another term in office.
Sir Iorpuu explained that the new phase was aimed at ensuring Governor Alia completes the constitutional eight years as the state’s chief executive.
Divine Mandate, a political support platform founded by Iorpuu in 2023, was instrumental in convincing Alia to join the governorship race and played a key role in his victory at the polls.
Speaking during the group’s thanksgiving service at Christ the King Parish, Damkor, Gboko Diocese, the same parish where the idea for Alia’s governorship bid was first conceived, Iorpuu said the service was to acknowledge God’s faithfulness over the project and to commit the next phase of the struggle into His hands.
According to him, although the thanksgiving was long overdue, it was important to return to God with gratitude and also seek divine blessings for the journey ahead.
Recounting how the movement started, Iorpuu recalled meeting Alia on April 28, 2019, at the parish house where he was serving as priest. He said he persuaded him to contest the 2023 election shortly after the re-election of former Governor Samuel Ortom, as part of efforts to “rescue Benue from misrule.”
He noted that their decision yielded positive results as Alia emerged victorious and, two years into his administration, has “revived the hopes of pensioners and given life back to many who had lost hope.”
“Now we have entered the second phase of the journey. For Governor Alia to complete eight years, I urge those who have just turned 18 and others without a voter’s card to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise,” Iorpuu charged.
Also speaking, Joseph Adi, a stakeholder of the group from the Etulo community, described the event as symbolic, saying it marked the renewal of a vision that was conceived years ago.
In her goodwill message, Chief Mrs. Comfort Rufus, Woman Leader of the Etulo community worldwide, praised Governor Alia for empowering their people with jobs and initiating developmental projects, including plans for three new roads in the area. She added that if it were possible, she would support him for “three terms” because of the good works he is doing.
In his remarks, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Alfred Akuraga, noted that the parish remained the foundation of Governor Alia’s mandate and prayed for its continuous growth and fruitfulness.
Sir Iorpuu, alongside members of the Divine Mandate Board of Trustees, directors, stakeholders across the state, and council officials from Buruku LGA, also met with community elders and party faithful after the thanksgiving.