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The recent courtesy visit by the Gboko Traditional Council, APC stakeholders, and opinion leaders to Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House, Makurdi, ended with a symbolic gesture: the presentation of a brand-new Hilux vehicle to His Royal Highness, Chief Gabriel Shosum, the Ter Gboko. While the car gift has sparked celebrations in some quarters, it has also ignited a firestorm of political debate, particularly among the people of Jembgbagh.
The gesture marks the first time since assuming office that Governor Alia, who is not only welcoming courtesy visits but also scheduling a meeting with Jembgbagh youths, has extended such an olive branch to his maternal community. However, this sudden openness has raised eyebrows, especially after the controversial removal of Jembgbagh’s son, Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh, as Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly. To many, the Governor’s gestures appear less like goodwill and more like an attempt at damage control.
Questions being asked are loud and clear: Why is Governor Alia, who consistently turned down courtesy visits in the past, now rolling out red carpets for Jembgbagh leaders? Why the sudden rush to embrace his maternal people only after they were shortchanged in the political equation? And more curiously, why did he not seek solidarity from his maternal side when the former Speaker was allegedly working to unseat him as Governor?
For many in Jembgbagh, the Governor’s approach smacks of desperation rather than reconciliation. As one elder bluntly put it, “Gboko people cannot be bought with a car gift to the Ter.” Another lingering question is why it took Governor Alia so long to “remember” that his maternal father never owned a car.
Despite the skepticism, Jembgbagh leaders have responded with caution. After careful deliberation, stakeholders made it clear that they will meet with Rt. Hon. Aondona Dajoh, before returning to Governor Alia with a final position. This stance, according to political analysts, reflects both wisdom and caution, signaling that Jembgbagh will not be swayed by token gestures but will act in the collective interest of their people.
As Benue watches, the Governor’s next steps will determine whether his outreach is truly about mending broken trust or simply about survival in the political storm he created. The coming days promise to be a critical test of his leadership and intentions.
