By Angula Bishop Reuben
The recent endorsement of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia by the Tiv Supreme Council, the Ijir Tamen, to continue leading Benue State until 2031 is far more than a political gesture—it is a powerful cultural and moral validation that resonates deeply across the social and political fabric of Benue state.
At a time when Nigeria’s democracy grapples with public mistrust and political polarization, this endorsement symbolizes a rare convergence between traditional authority and modern governance in the pursuit of peace, unity, and development.
Held at the Council Chambers in Gboko, the heartland of Tiv civilization, the endorsement was a solemn reaffirmation of confidence by the custodians of Tiv heritage—the same institution that for centuries has guided the moral compass and communal life of one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups.
Consequently, the decision of the Tiv Supreme Council to back Governor Alia is rooted not only in politics but in the recognition of his tangible achievements in governance and a commemoration of the call for unity among Benue sons and daughters.
Governor Alia’s appeal to Benue people to eschew internal conflicts and embrace peace could not have come at a more critical moment. His warning that communal clashes, especially over land, distract from the collective fight against external threats, underscores a truth often neglected in political discourse: a divided community is a defeated one. By urging Benue’s sons and daughters to close ranks and work assiduously towards achieving an egalitarian society, the governor has demonstrated the leadership maturity needed to heal the state’s wounds and refocus its people on the path of shared progress and prosperity.
In his address, Governor Alia highlighted key achievements in health, education, ICT, agriculture, and infrastructure. These strides, coupled with his emphasis on inclusive governance and collaboration with federal authorities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, illustrate a governance model that seeks to integrate traditional structures, modern administration, and grassroots participation. His message was clear—peace and progress are inseparable, and both require the active participation of every citizen.
The Tiv Supreme Council’s endorsement thus carries immense symbolic and practical significance. In a society where traditional institutions remain the closest link to the grassroots, such a collective declaration sends a strong signal of unity and stability. It reinforces the traditional institution’s role not as a relic of the past but as an active partner in shaping Benue’s future. The Council’s simultaneous move to ban the cultivation of Indian hemp and to strengthen local surveillance further demonstrates a commitment to moral discipline, community safety, and cultural rejuvenation.
This historic decision by the Ijir Tamen is not merely about extending the tenure of a governor—it is a call to all Benue people to rally behind a vision of lasting peace, development, and unity. It is an endorsement of continuity, stability, and purposeful governance. In a time when political endorsement often stems from expediency, the Tiv traditional institution has reminded Nigerians that true leadership support must flow from trust, performance, and shared destiny.
Benue now stands at a defining moment. With the blessing of its revered traditional custodians and the mandate of its people, Governor Alia’s only agenda is to translate this moral endorsement into sustained progress and enduring peace. The Tiv nation has spoken—and in its voice echoes a resounding message: political stability and unity remains the harbinger of Benue’s rebirth. And the Reverend gentleman epitomises these.
Angula writes this piece from Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
