By Bridget Ikyado
Makurdi – The Benue State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections, Rev. Hyacinth Alia has called on the people of the state to work for the unity and good of the state.
A statement released on Sunday in Makurdi said Alia made the charge
during his 32nd Priestly Anniversary and Thanksgivings Mass.
The statement was signed by his Media Aide, Isaac Uzaan.
The occasion was put together by Ihugh Network for Fr. Alia at St. Winifred Catholic Church, Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government area.
He expressed profound gratitude to God for the privilege to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ at the service of the people of God for over 32 years.
Reverend Alia during the mass.
Alia appealed to sons and daughters of the state to shun ethnicity and religious bigotry , urging them to join hands to fight for the good of the state.
Alia decried the pathetic state of affairs in the state, pointing out areas that are completely being neglected by the government in power.
He accused the present administration in the state of causing untold hardships to the good people of Benue State.
The governorship candidate said the poor condition of Benue people and the urgent demand to change the situation for better informed his decision to join partisan politics.
He also dismissed speculations that he has been stripped of his priesthood,saying that he remained a priest forever.
” I have only taken a sabbatical from public ministration to salvage the nasty political clime in the state, ” he said.
The APC candidate promised to turnaround the fortunes of the state for the good of the people and the nation at large.
Earlier in a sermon, Rev.Fr. Clement Mato, Parish Priest of
the church advised Christians to remain resolute and unwavering in their faith, even in the face of trials and difficulties and continue to believe that God will surely come to their rescue.
Mato blamed politicians for the general hardship and poor condition of the state, and called on the people to take advantage of their numerical strength as Christians and actively participate in politics.
He said they should do that with a view to making things better for the people.
The clergy, however, prayed for God’s guidance and mercies upon the state and the leadership.
Present at the thanksgiving mass were Elder Simon Shango who represented the Honourable Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, state Chairman of APC, Austin Agada, Elder Jack Tilley Gyado,and Memebers of the Alia Alliance Campaign Organisation, hundreds of support groups,priests and a host of others. (vitalnewsng.com)
