The Senior Assistant on Youth in Benue State, Hon. Gbenda Terver, has clarified that Benue youths are not hoodlums or thugs, describing them instead as peaceful and orderly people while reaffirming their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking in Makurdi, Terver said he wanted to clear the air over comments being made about Benue youths. He stated that the youths are the most peaceful and lovely people, and that the state belongs to President Tinubu. He explained that their support for the president stems from the appointments and developmental projects delivered under his administration, including a flyover in Makurdi and a bridge in Buruku, which he said were actual contracts being executed rather than mere paperwork.
Terver noted that President Tinubu has stood firmly with the Executive Governor of Benue State, Reverend Dr. Hyacinth Alia, and that this partnership has motivated the youths to come out in support of the president. He declared that Benue youths would not only vote for Tinubu but also defend the votes across all polling units, council wards and local governments, expressing confidence that the 276 council wards in the state would deliver for the president.
He also called on people to stop castigating Benue youths and urged them to recognise that the state stands with Tinubu. In addition, Terver restated support for Governor Alia and for the APC candidates in the senatorial and federal constituency races, particularly mentioning the candidates in Zone C and the relevant federal constituency.
Terver appreciated the governor for providing employment opportunities in teaching, agricultural support and other programmes that have touched lives. He said that to whom much is given, much is expected, and that the youths were now being mobilised to give back through their votes. He urged them to vote and protect the election process from the polling unit level up to the council ward and local government levels, warning against those who might attempt to cause chaos on election day.
He concluded by calling on the youths to ensure their votes are counted and announced before leaving the polling centres.
