…Celebrates Gov Alia’s Thanksgiving.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A political support group for Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, under the auspices of ‘Benue Divine Mandate,’ on Sunday stormed Saint Peter’s Catholic Church (Sabonb-Tasha), Kaduna, and donated the sum of N500,000 to the Parish.
Kaduna Sunday.
There were also donations made to other groups, including the Church Choir, among others, during the elaborate Thanksgiving celebration of the Divine Mandate in the Church on Sunday under the Church’s Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Joshua Achie.
Speaking at the celebration ceremony of Benue Divine Mandate “Phase-2 yesterday, the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Benue State, Rev. Dr. Frederick L. Ikyaan, explained that “The idea of Mandate was incubated, conceived and born here, prior to 2023, to support Hyacinth Alia’s governorship ambition.”
The commissioner, who represented the Benue Governor, further explained that they have inaugurated the phase-2 for 2027, of the group which started with a few people, grew up and expanded to what it stands today, after accommodating many more people.
“Like I did say in church awhile ago, this group that has come to Kaduna is properly called Divine Mandate. Like I explained in church, when God wants to do a thing, he moves a few people that conceive and incubate and birth it.
“So, when God wanted to bring Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia to become Governor, he put it in the minds of a few people. So, this is where it all started. It was this very group – started with a few people – and, as it was growing and expanding, it was accommodating many more.
“But, this was the starting point. So, they started, went around and mobilized and brought it to the attention of several others. So, Rev. Alia became Governor.
“Now, at the second-phase of His Excellency’s election, the Divine Mandate thought it wise to come again and propagate the word,” he stated.
He emphasized that Benue indigenes have a large number of citizens in Kaduna State, and decided to establish a branch of the Mandate during the 2023 elections.
“The branch in Kaduna helped to sensitize. You know, Alia you know is a vision to the Benue indigenes, including those in Kaduna State.
“So, that is why we have come again and we have titled this trip now ‘Divine Mandate Phase-2.’ So, we came here since Friday; we have done a few activities, inaugurated a new leadership and have charged them to sustain the vision.
“So, we have concluded this visit with a Thanksgiving in church here this morning. That is why we are here,” he said.
He also stated that there was no particular preference to St. Peter’s Catholic Church as venue of Thanksgiving ceremony, saying, “It could have been any other place. For instance, yesterday, Saturday, we had some of our events at the Holy Family; you know the Parish in Barnawa area of Kaduna State, and here today we are in Sabon Tasha St Peter’s Catholic Church.
“Of course, we donated 500,000 naira to the church and some small donations to some groups in the parish. It’s all-in-one; the choir was given something, Reverend Father gave out books; we also made a donation, and the one other group,” he explained.
On whether it’s all about 2027, he said, “Yes. Like I said, it is ‘Divine Mandate Phase-2.’ Its target is to mobilize Benue indigenous in Kaduna State to again launch a campaign, mobilize people to go back home, in 2027, and vote the governor for a second term,” he explained.
The former Commissioner of Education and Knowledge Management also promised that the Governor will never disappoint the church, adding that his failure is the church’s failure.
“The church is on trial, if a priest in government leadership,” stressing that “People would be watching keenly to see, if the church would be ridiculed.”
Earlier, the parish technical committee chairman, Chris Santos Njokwu, praised Government and people of Benue State for keeping faith in God, despite bandits attacks and killings, and prayed the Governor returns for second tenure to complete the good works he started.
The (St Peter’s) Parish Priest, Rev. Ft. Achie, also prayed for the Governor for second tenure’s “landslide success” and also prayed against further terrorists’ invasion or attacks on innocent people of Benue State.