The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has reportedly been suspended from publicly presenting himself as a Catholic priest by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya.
The reported decision is said to be connected to the Catholic Church’s rules governing the conduct of ordained clergy, particularly those concerning active participation in partisan politics and the holding of public political office. Governor Alia, who was a Catholic priest before assuming political office, has continued to serve as the elected Governor of Benue State.
If confirmed, the reported directive by the Diocese could generate significant reactions among Catholics, political stakeholders and residents across Benue State, given the Governor’s dual history as a priest and public office holder.
The authenticity, scope and exact canonical basis of the reported suspension would need to be confirmed through an official statement from the Catholic Diocese of Gboko.
The report was first aired by Urban Radio 94.5 FM and shared by ApaVoice-TV.
