By Samuel Adzegeh, Editor in Chief Still basking in the excitement of his party the NDC's very successful pre-unveliling stakeholders' consultative meeting Saturday, leading governorship candidate of the party in next year's gubernatorial elections in Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija yesterday took another vital step towards commencing full campaigns for the election.. Shija, Chieftaincy title holder of Zege Kwaghfan u Tiv, led a powerful delegation of party chieftains and supporters to his home Vandeikya local government where he officially informed his Mbaduku kindred and traditional rulers of his emergence as NDC candidate for the race. Shija is making his third attempt at the governorship of Benue State, having previously aspired in 2015 and 2023 but failing to clinch the candidacy of the PDP and APC on which platforms he had respectively aspired. Explaining the purpose of his visit to his kinsmen while addressing mammoth crowds during the occasion, the NDC candidate stressed that he has not yet started campaigns but had come to officially inform his people of his candidzcy and to seek their blessings for the task ahead. Shija asserted that his desire to govern Benue State is a matter of justification based on the traditional right of his Mbaduku kindred and not merely a political obligation. Tracing Mbaduku people's political antecedents, the Zege Kwaghfan reminded of previous sacrifices made by their late political leaders like Hon. Ugba Uye, late Engr. Igbetar and others who had contributed in no small measure to the political development and stability of Benue State, noting that he had also personally served the State meritorioisly in various categories including Member House of Reps between 1999 and 2001, worked as campaign manager for at least two Governors whom he successfully delivered and on two occasions served as Commissioner in the state, among others. Shija said after having thus payid his dues in the political development, he feels immensely prepared and deserves a fair chance to pilot the state's affairs He called on those from outside Vandeikya local government area of the State who are jostling for the 2027 governorship of the State to withdraw from the race and allow the area to complete its second tenure in office so as not to disrupt the sensitive zoning formula in the State which he pointed out should enable people from the Idoma-speaking area to produce Benue's next Governor come 2031. Shija explained that he is in the governorship race because of the abysmal failure of the current administration in the State which is led by his brother Rev. Hyacinth Alia. He regretted what he described as Alia's glaring failures in the areas of provision security and welfare of the people, noting that a large population of Benue people have been forced to live in IDP camps for years, following the administration’s failure to protect them from prolonged attacks by Fulani herdsmen, and added that a large population of the hard working people of the state have, as a result, been to beggarly existence even as thousands of youth remain unemployed. Shija further deplored the poor development of the state under the current administration, pointing to the deplorable road conditions as another sign of underdevelopment, insisting that the conditions do not justify the trillions that have accrued to the state in the last three years. Shija asserted that as an indigene of Vandeikya local government and given his vast experience in and out of government, he is in a position to reset the state on a true path to real development. Shija assured that that his would be a corrective one-tenure administration of four years which would hand over to a Zone C Governor in 2031. "You all know I can be trusted because over a long time in and out of government, and after several appointments in which I performed creditably, I have proven that I am a man of my words. I am trusted in Idomaland and every where. I have in the past openly given my support for an Idoma Governor. As I speak, my deputy governorship candidate is Dr. Raymond Edoh, a young and very capable Idoma gentleman and my party leader is Prof. Onyike, an Igede gentle man and senior colleague also from Zone C. With us leading the next NDC government in Benue State, and Their Excellencies Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as President and Vice President respectively leading the next NDC federal government, Benue State will be safe and prosperous for our people," Shija assured.

Posted: 4weeks ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026