Alia's popularity not in doubt, says aide

Reacting to a report, Iorpev said in a statement that no parallels should be drawn between Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Alia of Benue State

He said the publication suggesting that Fr. Alia is an ingrate who will suffer the same fate as  Fubara, is not only malicious and incorrect, but also demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of the political landscape of Benue State.

Iorpev said: "To begin with, there is no single comparison between the political situation in Benue State and that of Rivers. While one can rightly say Fubara rose on the wings of his godfather, HE Nyesom Wike, the reverse can be said to be the case in Benue State. 

"Governor Alia's victory in the 2023 gubernatorial election was a testament to his popularity and the appeal of his agenda for the Benue people. It is common knowledge, and while one must acknowledge his role in the political process, Sen. George Akume only took advantage of the popularity of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s candidacy. 

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"He said so himself in a viral video, when he said Governor Alia’s popularity was almost divine, comparing him to former Governor Moses Orshio Adasu."

He added:"On television, Chief Micheal Kaase Aondoakaa was also reminded that Governor Alia’s popularity at the time of his campaigns surpassed any other candidate at the time. 

"So the truth is, APC's victory in Benue State was not a result of godfatherism or manipulation, but rather a genuine expression of the people's acceptance of father Alia and their desire for change and a better future.

"Records show that Governor Alia won the 2023 gubernatorial election with a wide margin, polling 473,933 votes to defeat his closest rival, Titus Uba of the PDP, who scored 223,913 votes, leading the APC to win 20 out of 23 local government areas in the state.

"Isn’t it ironic that with all his popularity and control of party structures, Senator George Akume lost his senate seat to a greenhorn, Sen. Orker Jev, in the 2019 general elections? The APC was totally run over by the PDP in that year. Compare that to the very next election in 2023 when Sen Titus Zam, a greenhorn, who was only a special adviser under his opponent, without prior experience, triumphed over a sitting governor, Governor Samuel Ortom, for the same senate seat, riding on the popularity of Alia, who called on Benue people to vote massively for the APC at all levels. Bear in mind that the APC at this point was in opposition in Benue state and had no control of anything."