Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, has called on residents of the North-Central region to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office in the 2027 general elections.

Kula made the appeal during an appearance on TVC News on Wednesday, arguing that Tinubu’s return to office would ensure continuity in the implementation of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, describing them as essential measures for achieving sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity. According to him, states across the North-Central region stand to benefit from the policies.

The governor’s spokesperson also linked Benue’s development efforts to the working relationship between the state and federal governments.

He explained that the Alia administration’s investments in agriculture, education and healthcare had received support from Tinubu’s economic policies, which he said had helped stimulate economic growth and increase federal allocations to state governments.

Kula further pointed to the reactivation of previously dormant industrial facilities, including Benue Brewery, Bensono Orange Juice Company and Taraku Mills, as evidence of the state government’s efforts to revive industrial activities and expand economic opportunities.

He also stated the activities of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), which has ventured into the production of bread, nails and steel as part of efforts to boost local manufacturing.

According to the governor’s aide, these initiatives demonstrate the state government’s efforts to utilise available financial resources to promote economic development.

On infrastructure, Kula listed urban renewal initiatives and road construction projects across Benue as some of the administration’s achievements.

He disclosed that the state government had commenced plans to construct three township roads in each of the 23 local government areas of Benue State.

The spokesperson added that the welfare of civil servants and pensioners remained a priority for the Alia administration.

Kula urged voters in Benue and other states in the North-Central region to support both Alia and Tinubu in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that their continued leadership would sustain development efforts in the state, the region and the country.

2027: Benue gov’s aide urges North-Central residents to back Tinubu, Alia

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his reported absence from campaign rallies in some states, saying he cannot seek another four-year term while relying on governors, ministers and defectors to defend the hardship Nigerians have endured over the past three and a half years.

Atiku’s position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

Atiku said Tinubu should account for his first term before asking Nigerians to renew his mandate.

“Tinubu says he may miss campaign rallies because Nigeria needs his attention. Where was that urgency when Nigerians pleaded for relief?

“He has had three and a half years to govern. In that time, families have been forced to cut meals, postpone medical care and watch their earnings lose value before they get home.

“Now he wants another mandate. Before asking Nigerians for one, he must face them and account for the first term.

“Let him look a mother in the eye and explain what his government has done to make food affordable. Let him tell pensioners why they cannot afford their medicines. Let him explain to young Nigerians why years of study and hard work have still not brought them decent jobs.

“Tinubu says American creditors cannot wait. Nigerians cannot wait either. They have bills to pay, children to feed and lives to rebuild. They deserve a president who treats their suffering with the same urgency he gives creditors and investors,” Atiku said.

He accused Tinubu of relying on political allies to defend his administration rather than personally addressing Nigerians’ concerns.

“Instead, he is assembling a crowd of politicians to speak for him. He can fill every campaign stage in Nigeria. He cannot fill an empty pot with surrogates. He cannot send a politician into a market to persuade prices to fall.

“The people on his campaign council did not receive the mandate in 2023. Tinubu did. He made the promises. He took the decisions. He must face the questions.

“Nigerians will hear whatever his surrogates have to say. But when they vote, they will remember what they have lived through. No crowd of politicians can stand between Tinubu and his record,” he said.

2927: ‘You want another term but ashamed to face the people’ – Atiku blasts Tinubu