Gov. Hyacinth Alia has declared that no part of the state will be surrendered to herders.
Mr Alia made the declaration on Monday while addressing stakeholders from the Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo and Kwande/Ushongo Jechira federal constituencies during his statewide thank-you tour.
The governor said his administration would defeat insecurity and protect the people’s ancestral lands.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property while commending President Bola Tinubu for strengthening Benue’s security architecture.
Mr Alia particularly acknowledged the establishment and siting of the Nigerian Army 5 Division in the state as part of efforts to strengthen security.
The governor assured traditional rulers of continued partnership in maintaining peace, resolving disputes and mobilising their communities for development.
Mr During the engagement in Sankera, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, elected representatives and other community leaders met with the governor.
The Tor Sankera, HRH David Sevav, appealed for the restoration of peace, the resuscitation of the waterworks and increased opportunities for Sankera indigenes in government appointments.
In Kwande, the governor separately engaged traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders, urging them to sustain unity and cooperation for the development of the state.
He commended the traditional institution for its role in maintaining peace and resolving community disputes.
Mr Alia also appreciated religious leaders for their contributions to peacebuilding and peaceful coexistence, urging them to continue promoting unity among the people.
At the political stakeholders’ town hall, he urged leaders to put the interest of Benue above personal differences and work collectively to sustain the progress recorded by his administration.
In Jechira, Alia held separate engagements with traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders, reiterating the importance of unity, discipline and collective participation in development.
Former Gov. Gabriel Suswam, who accompanied Alia to Sankera, commended the administration’s performance, particularly its ongoing infrastructural projects.
Mr Suswam expressed the support of Sankera people for the re-election of Alia and Tinubu, urging stakeholders to sustain unity and cooperation.
The member representing Sankera Federal Constituency, Mr Solomon Wombo, also called for political unity and grassroots mobilisation in support of the administration.
The APC State Chairman, Benjamin Omale, thanked stakeholders across Sankera, Kwande and Jechira for their support and urged them to sustain it ahead of the 2027 elections.
An APC leader in Kwande, Mr Moses Ternenge, expressed support for Alia, Tinubu and the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.