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In a resounding show of support, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization in Benue State, has formally endorsed Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia for a second term in office. The endorsement, delivered during a colorful ceremony on Saturday, November 9, 2025, also saw the group confer the prestigious title “Ugwumba Ndi Igbo 1 of Benue State” (The Pride of Ndigbo) on Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, CFA, the Group Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC).
The event, held amid fanfare and traditional Igbo hospitality, underscored the growing bond between the Igbo community in Benue and the Alia administration. Speaking at the occasion, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Benue, Chief Evangelist Sunday Ofili, lauded Governor Alia for his transformative achievements in infrastructure development, industrial growth, and business-friendly reforms. He specifically highlighted the removal of multiple taxes and the abolition of the controversial “marching ground” levy as game-changing policies that have eased the burden on traders, entrepreneurs, and ordinary citizens.
“Governor Alia has demonstrated inclusive leadership that accommodates all tribes and tongues in Benue,” Ofili declared. “His policies have created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, and the Igbo community, being a major stakeholder in commerce, has benefited immensely. We are proud to endorse him for a second term to consolidate these gains.”
Other leaders of the association echoed similar sentiments, commending the governor’s deliberate efforts to foster unity and economic progress across ethnic lines. They called for the appointment of a dedicated liaison officer to coordinate the affairs of Igbo residents in the state ahead of the next election cycle, a move they believe will further strengthen collaboration between the community and the government.
In his response, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, the newly titled “Ugwumba Ndi Igbo 1,” expressed profound gratitude to the Ohaneze Ndigbo for the honor. He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to service under Governor Alia’s leadership, pledging to continue driving the transformative agenda of the administration through the BIPC and beyond.
The endorsement comes at a pivotal moment as Governor Alia’s first term progresses, with visible strides in road construction, industrial revitalization, and ease of doing business. For the Igbo community—a vibrant part of Benue’s economic fabric—this public backing is more than political; it’s a recognition of shared prosperity and mutual respect.
As 2027 draws nearer, this early and emphatic endorsement from Ohaneze Ndigbo sends a clear message: Governor Alia enjoys broad-based support beyond his immediate constituency. Whether this will translate into a smoother path to re-election remains to be seen, but for now, the Igbo in Benue have spoken—and they stand firmly with the man they believe is steering the state toward greater heights.
