By Rotimi Ijikanmi
The fiscal reforms of President Bola Tinubu will deliver the Benue votes for him during the 2027 general election.
Benue Deputy Governor, Dr Sam Ode, who disclosed this on Thursday in Makurdi, said the reforms have boosted revenues and accelerated transformative development.
Ode also reaffirmed Gov. Hyacinth Alia’s promise that Benue would deliver one million votes for Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.
The deputy governor spoke while leading members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team on an inspection of ongoing federal and state projects across Benue.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the team was led by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
Ode said the governor’s commitment to deliver one million votes reflected the confidence of the state government in Tinubu’s leadership and the impact of his economic reforms.
According to him, his assignment as deputy governor is to mobilise the State Executive Council, political stakeholders and the people of Benue to actualise Alia’s promise.
Ode said the President’s policies had strengthened fiscal federalism by ensuring that more resources reached sub-national governments for infrastructure, social services and economic development.
According to him, governors who are prudent and accountable now have the opportunity to translate increased allocations into projects that directly improve the lives of their people.
He described Alia as one of such leaders, saying the Benue governor had managed public resources with prudence, discipline and transparency since assuming office.
Ode said the prudent management of increased revenues was evident in the numerous infrastructure and economic projects spread across the state, transforming communities and improving public confidence.
He argued that Benue people could clearly see the benefits of Tinubu’s reforms through projects delivered by the Alia administration, making support for the President a natural political outcome.
Responding to questions on increased allocations, Ode said the gains recorded by states extended beyond fuel subsidy removal and reflected Tinubu’s broader commitment to democratic governance.
He recalled that Tinubu recorded remarkable achievements as Governor of Lagos State long before subsidy removal, describing the President as a leader driven by patriotism and people’s welfare.
The deputy governor showcased the ongoing dualisation from the Wurukum Overhead Bridge to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Estate as one of Benue’s landmark infrastructure projects.
He explained that the dual carriageway stretches about 20 kilometres in one direction, with a bridge under construction to complete the strategic corridor linking key parts of Makurdi.
According to him, the project will improve transportation, facilitate commerce and strengthen connectivity while complementing other infrastructure investments across the state.
The deputy governor said the Alia administration was constructing roads, bridges and other facilities that enhance security, agriculture, transportation and overall economic productivity.
He identified some ongoing rural road projects to include the Obagaji–Okokoro–Agagbe, Awajir (Achohor)–Oju, Zaki-Biam–Afia–Gbeji and Igumale–Agila roads.
He said these project would improve access to farming communities and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce to markets.
He emphasised that government was equally implementing programmes that directly improve livelihoods instead of concentrating development only within urban centres.
The deputy governor highlighted the revival of Food Basket Breweries Nigeria Limited, saying the once-moribund company had returned to production under Alia’s leadership after more than three decades.
He said the brewery now produces premium lager beer, malt beverages and other products, creating jobs and stimulating economic activities within the state.
Ode also pointed to the establishment of a fruit concentrate factory, explaining that the project would add value to Benue’s agricultural produce and support industrialisation.
He further disclosed that extensive rural road projects were ongoing to ease the movement of farm produce from villages to markets, boosting food production and farmers’ incomes.
Conducting the team on inspection of the brewery, the Plant Manager, Mr Adoje Emmanuel, said the facility produces Zeva Beer, Zeva Malt and other beverages, with plans to increase its product range to between eight and nine stock-keeping units before year-end.
He said the brewery procures sorghum and other raw materials from local farmers through an out-grower scheme managed by the Benue Investment and Property Company and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Emmanuel said the factory employed over 1,000 direct and indirect workers and plans to introduce additional product lines before the end of the year. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz