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In a strategic move signaling deepening alliances ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections, Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has recommended and seen the inauguration of Ambassador Terhemen Tazarzoor as the state’s coordinator for the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a grassroots mobilization network championing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid. The appointment, formalized yesterday at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, underscores Alia’s commitment to bolstering the All Progressives Congress (APC) machinery at both state and national levels, while weaving Benue’s political fabric tighter into the fabric of Tinubu’s national agenda.
Tazarzoor, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Namibia and a former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, brings a wealth of experience to the role. His recent public endorsement of Governor Alia for a second term, just last week, already positioned him as a key ally in the state’s political renaissance. Speaking to journalists in Makurdi on October 27, Tazarzoor hailed Alia’s leadership as a “renaissance” for Benue, crediting the governor with transformative strides in infrastructure, flood control, health, and education—achievements that, he argued, merit consolidation through re-election. This latest nod from Alia reciprocates that support, elevating Tazarzoor to a pivotal position in mobilizing voters for Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” vision.
The inauguration ceremony, presided over by Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, drew a constellation of APC heavyweights. Uzodimma charged all state coordinators—now spanning Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory—with the task of forging sweeping victories for Tinubu. “Assiduously liaise with party stakeholders in your states to ensure a sweeping and landslide victory for President Tinubu in 2027,” he urged, emphasizing the use of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors platform to spark widespread participation in the electoral process. The forum also unveiled zonal coordinators representing Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, including Tanko Al-Makura for North Central, Ayim Pius Ayim for South East, Isa Yuguda for North East, Aminu Masari for North West, Ifeanyi Okowa for South South, and Dr. Adebayo Adelabu for South West. These figures, blending former governors, ministers, and party stalwarts, are tasked with constituting local government and ward executives to amplify the campaign’s reach.
For Benue, this appointment arrives at a charged political moment. The state APC, under Chairman Benjamin Omale, has repeatedly reaffirmed its backing for both Alia and Tinubu, viewing endorsements like Tazarzoor’s as vital to countering opposition narratives and sustaining momentum. Omale praised Tazarzoor’s alignment as a “job [that] will help contribute” to building a better Benue, highlighting Alia’s “reengineered governance” since 2023—marked by massive road projects, flyovers, and human capital investments—as a blueprint worth exporting nationally. Tazarzoor himself expressed profound gratitude to Alia for the confidence reposed in him, vowing not to betray the governor’s trust and committing to advance policies that extend beyond 2027.
As Nigeria’s political landscape heats up, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors emerge as more than a campaign tool; they’re an assembly of reputable leaders designed to engage zonal influencers and promote Tinubu’s economic and developmental policies nationwide. In Benue, where farmer-herder tensions and infrastructural deficits have long tested governance, Tazarzoor’s role could prove instrumental in translating Alia’s local gains into votes for the APC ticket. With state coordinators now empowered to build ward-level structures, the stage is set for a robust mobilization drive that could redefine voter turnout and loyalty in the North Central zone.
Yet, as with any high-stakes political maneuver, questions linger: Will Tazarzoor’s diplomatic finesse bridge divides within Benue’s diverse APC factions? And how will this initiative intersect with Alia’s own re-election machinery, especially amid whispers of internal primaries? For now, the inauguration marks a vote of confidence in collaborative leadership, a reminder that in Nigeria’s intricate electoral chessboard, endorsements like this one are the opening gambits that could secure checkmate come 2027. As Tazarzoor steps into his coordinator’s shoes, Benue—and by extension, Tinubu’s camp—watches with bated breath for the ripple effects.
