By Gideon Inyom
If you take a close look at the development initiatives under Fr. Hyacinth Alia, one uncontroverted point stands out: he has demonstrated good intentions. Since 1992, this is the first time a government in Benue has initiated this number of high-profile projects simultaneously and consistently. Even if the pace feels slow, the intentions are undeniable and the results are visible.
And let’s not forget, all these visible developments have been achieved in just 28 months, within only two budget cycles. That is no small feat. From the underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko, to the dualized Ishaya Bakut Road with its drainage network solving age-long ecological problems, to the Makurdi–Gboko dual carriageway up to Tyo Mu, these are not ordinary projects. Even the Wurukum flyover, though a federal project, has become popularly tied to his urban renewal drive.
Beyond infrastructure, perhaps the most transformative legacy may not even be the flyovers. The establishment of the new university in Ihugh has the potential to turn Benue’s education ecosystem into a production hub, creating jobs, businesses, and a knowledge economy that will outlive any single administration. Add to that the recruitment of over 9,000 teachers something rural communities are already feeling. Just days ago, five teachers were posted to my village’s LGEA primary school, a school that had none for years. This is life-changing policy in real time.
To me, this represents a major shift from previous administrations. And here’s the reality: those who seek to replace Alia in 2027 must first acknowledge these giant strides before presenting convincing alternatives. The first mistake of any aspirant would be to dismiss or undermine the visible transformations taking place now. Alia is already the candidate to beat, not the one to dismiss. His record is becoming the benchmark.
At the same time, credit must go to the people of Benue, whose patience and resilience have made it possible for these changes to take root. It is to these people that, when we talk about development or even criticize Alia, it is not because he is failing, but because their expectations are bigger than what has been achieved so far. Their impatience is not born out of lack of progress, but out of a deeper hunger for transformation.
This is why we must be careful to draw the line between being too critical and losing credibility by refusing to acknowledge progress. Criticism must inspire stronger vision, not blind denial.
Looking ahead, this impatience of the people must be channeled into shaping a bolder, more systemic vision for Benue, one that builds on current gains but also addresses the bigger transformational agenda of jobs, industrialization, and security. That is how we move from projects to systems, and from progress to transformation.
For me, this is where I envision the Wadata Mega City Project, a water-front city concept that solves transport, security, and aesthetic systems together. At the heart of this vision is a light rail system for Makurdi. This is not a luxury but a people-centered necessity in a time when private car ownership has become an expensive burden for ordinary citizens. Even if launched only at a planning and pilot stage, it would set Makurdi on the path of modern urban mobility, reduce transport costs, boost commerce, and make the Wadata Mega City vision tangible for everyday people. More importantly, it would show that Alia’s leadership was not only about today’s needs, but about the Makurdi of 2050.
And for those of us who are looking forward to leadership now and in the near future, we must remember this truth: leadership maturity is not about condemning, it is about commending bold action, even when it comes from opposing parties.
Alia’s first 28 months prove that big things can be done quickly. The challenge now is to also dream boldly enough to plant foundations that will define Benue’s future for generations to come.
My call is simple: let us support vision, not political banditry. Let us demand continuity, not chaos. And let us measure leadership not only by projects delivered, but by systems and foundations planted for the future.
To those seeking to compete with Governor Alia in 2027, the first step is simple: study his achievements, acknowledge them, and then show us how your vision will add more. The people of Benue are not blind; they see the roads, the schools, the university, and other bold projects. Denying them only weakens your credibility.
The real task is not to dismiss progress, but to explain how you can do better. That is how true leaders emerge.
To the Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the challenge is to keep making your vision clearer to the people. They already believe in you, but belief must be nurtured with consistent communication, transparency, and results.
For all of us as citizens, we must learn to separate good leadership from political noise. Let’s support vision, not opportunism. Let’s look for leaders who build systems, not just chase headlines.
Because in the end, true development is not about personalities, it’s about people.
Gideon Inyom a innovation strategist writes this piece from MakurdiÂ
