31/08/2026
A MESSAGE OF HONOUR, UNITY AND GOD’S WILL: CONGRATULATIONS TO ALIA, BYUAN AND AONDOAKAA
Politics is a contest of ideas, convictions and visions for the future. It should never become a war against one another. At the end of every political contest, we remain brothers, we remain Benue people, and we remain one people with one destiny.
Today, I extend my heartfelt and sincere congratulations to three distinguished sons of Benue who have offered themselves to serve our dear state in the 2027 Governorship Election:
His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia — All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr. Mathias Byuan — Labour Party (LP).
Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
To His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, I congratulate you on your successful emergence as the APC candidate. Your victory within your party is a significant political milestone and a renewed responsibility to the people of Benue State.
I may agree with some of your policies and disagree with others, Your Excellency. That is democracy. My disagreement should never be interpreted as hatred, just as my criticism should never be interpreted as a desire to see you fail.
Where you do well, I will acknowledge it. Where I believe you can do better, I will speak. Not because I wish you failure, but because I love Benue and want to see our state succeed.
To Dr. Mathias Byuan of the Labour Party, I equally extend my warmest congratulations. Your participation adds another dimension to the democratic contest and gives the people another opportunity to examine ideas, policies and visions for the future of Benue.
To Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, of the PDP, I extend my sincere congratulations as well. Your experience, knowledge and political journey have earned you a place in this important contest, and I wish you wisdom and strength as you seek the mandate of our people.
But beyond APC, PDP and Labour Party, there is something far greater:
BENUE STATE.
Our political parties will come and go. Political positions will come and go. Governments will come and go. But Benue will remain.
That is why I appeal to all supporters: let us disagree without hatred, campaign without destroying one another, and compete without turning political differences into permanent enemies.
And when the votes are counted, let us remember one fundamental truth:
THE VICTORY WILL NOT BELONG TO MAN ALONE. IT WILL BE BY THE WILL OF GOD AND THE MANDATE OF THE PEOPLE.
Men may calculate.
Men may strategize.
Men may endorse.
Men may campaign.
Men may make promises.
But God has the final say.
Whoever emerges victorious in 2027—whether Alia, Byuan or Aondoakaa—let us accept that outcome as the will of God expressed through the democratic choice of the people.
Because sometimes, the person we passionately support may not be the person who ultimately wins. And when that happens, we must have the maturity to accept the people's verdict and continue working for the good of our state.
The ultimate question should not be:
“Which party won?”
It should be:
“Did Benue win?”
Did our people win?
Did our farmers win?
Did our children win?
Did our displaced brothers and sisters return home?
Did our communities become safer?
Did our young people find opportunities?
Did our women and girls receive greater protection and empowerment?
Did Benue move forward?
That should be the victory we all seek.
I pray that God Almighty grants every candidate wisdom, strength, courage, humility and good health throughout this journey.
And when the final verdict comes, may the person whom God choose have the humility to lead not only those who voted for him, but also those who voted against him.
Because leadership is not revenge.
Leadership is service.
Politics should not make us enemies.
Politics should challenge us to build a better Benue.
So today, I honour and congratulate:
Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia — APC.
Dr. Mathias Byuan — Labour Party.
Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN — PDP.
May the campaigns be peaceful.
May the contest be credible.
May the people be enlightened.
May the votes count.
And above all—
MAY GOD’S WILL PREVAIL OVER THE WILL OF MAN.
Whoever emerges victorious, let us support peace.
Whoever emerges victorious, let us support Benue.
Whoever emerges victorious, let us remember that the state belongs to all of us.
May God bless Benue State.
May God bless her people.
And may Benue finally get the leadership she truly deserves.
Signed:
BENITA MBAAIIGA
aka WAN MBAVAA
Strength of the Girl Child
SGF First Daughter
Brand Ambassador, NCDC