Benue State Deputy Governor, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, mni, has commended the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, MNIQS, RQS, for promoting a cordial and productive relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government, describing the partnership as a major factor contributing to stability, effective governance and development in the state.
Ode made the commendation in Vandeikya on Friday during the official inauguration of Divine Consensus for Tinubu/Alia 2027, a political support group established by the Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba. The Deputy Governor said the cordial relationship between the two arms of government had created an atmosphere of cooperation and stability that had enabled Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to focus on its development agenda and execute projects with direct and measurable impact on the lives of Benue citizens.
He stressed that a functional democracy required cooperation among the various arms of government, noting that the legislature’s willingness to work constructively with the executive had helped facilitate the implementation of policies and programmes targeted at improving the welfare of the people. Barr. Ode particularly applauded Speaker Emberga for providing what he described as purposeful leadership in the Assembly through effective legislation, people-oriented oversight and the timely consideration and passage of executive bills.
According to him, the Assembly’s approach under Emberga has helped strengthen institutional cooperation, promote stability in governance and create the necessary legislative environment for the executive to pursue projects and policies aimed at improving the state. He therefore urged the Speaker to sustain the tempo of cooperation, stressing that when the executive and legislature work together within their constitutional responsibilities, the greatest beneficiaries are the people. The Deputy Governor maintained that the positive relationship between the two arms should not be viewed merely as political cooperation but as an avenue for ensuring that governance remains focused on the needs, aspirations and development of the people of Benue State.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alfred Emberga, said Governor Alia is doing well in office and deserved the unwavering support of the legislature as well as all well-meaning sons and daughters of Benue State. He said such support would enable the Governor to consolidate ongoing development initiatives and accomplish more for the benefit of the people. Emberga commended Dr. Grace Adagba for establishing the Divine Consensus and for mobilising a large gathering of supporters for the Tinubu-Alia political project, describing the initiative as a “brilliant and excellent” idea. He urged the founder and organisers of the group to take the initiative beyond its current structure and establish functional structures across the 23 local government areas of the state.
According to him, expanding the support group to the grassroots would deepen mobilisation, strengthen citizens’ participation and ensure that the political movement has a wider reach ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Speaker also called on the people of Kunav and Benue State at large to support the re-election of Governor Alia and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. He argued that continuity in leadership would provide the opportunity to consolidate existing achievements, sustain ongoing development efforts and deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.
The Vandeikya gathering rounded off with the grand finale of the Benue State Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Games at LGEA Primary School, Mbakunde. The event witnessed the participation of pupils from across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, with LGEA Primary School, Wurukum, Makurdi, emerging as the overall winners. The event also provided a platform for stakeholders to identify budding sports talents, reward hard work, and reaffirm citizens’ support for the Tinubu-Alia political project, while highlighting the importance of unity through sporting events, grassroots mobilisation, and constructive collaboration among political stakeholders and government institutions ahead of 2027.
