Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, is alleged to have held a private meeting with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar as part of efforts to secure support for his reported re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
According to sources familiar with the development, Governor Alia’s visit to Sokoto was to solicit the support and blessings of the Sultan.
The sources further said the Sultan assured Governor Alia of the support of the Caliphate to ensure that achieves his political ambition. The Islamic leader is said to have praised Alia for being “a true friend of the caliphate and the Fulani ethnic group in general.”
The sources also said the Benue governor sought the intervention of the influential traditional ruler regarding security deployments to Benue State before the end of the year.
Governor Alia is allegedly interested in influencing the posting of security personnel to the state ahead of the 2027 elections. The move is intended to strengthen his political position during the electoral process.
Governor Alia’s loyalty is believed to lie with the Sultan of Sokoto whom he calls fondly as his father. Any time Fulani jihadists attack and kill people in parts of Benue State, Alia comes out to play down the casualty figures and defend the attackers, Fulani.
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There are reports which are yet to be contravened that Fulani elites including governors raised about N7 billion with which they supported Alia’s 2023 election campaign.
Governor Alia is said to be serving the interests of Fulani and he is determined to help them become integrated into Benue State where they can own land and freely rear their cattle.
Political observers say any attempt to influence security postings for electoral advantage would raise serious concerns about the neutrality of security agencies and the integrity of the democratic process.
Efforts to obtain reactions from officials of the Benue State Government and representatives of the Sultanate Council were ongoing at the time this report was filed.
