In early 2021, Hon. Maurice Owough told me about Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia’s governorship ambition. I agreed to support him without even knowing the political party, because Alia was popular and Benue had once been governed by a Reverend Father. But I told Hon. Maurice I must meet the man first before pledging my support.
He took me to Alia’s new GRA residence in Makurdi, along with Hon. Emmanuel Iorbee and two other young men. That day I met the Man of God and presented my proposal to put Benue on the world tourism map through the _Benue Food Festival – BFF_. The Governor was impressed and promised that once elected, we would execute the project. That was how my support for him began and continued till his victory in 2023.
Even though I contested election under APGA as flag bearer and Chairman of our Assembly candidates, I still led a delegation of APGA Assembly candidates to congratulate the Governor after his victory. It was documented. Later, a delegation sent by Gov. Abdullahi A. Sule of Nasarawa State, many of whom were my friends, also asked me to accompany them to the Governor. Hon. Solomon Tabulo Pevkyaa singled me out and reintroduced me to the Governor, reminding him that I supported him wholeheartedly during the election.
After one year, I began working on the BFF project we had discussed. I wrote formally to the Governor and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. The event was endorsed by the Ministry and I started planning for 2025. I invited guests from across Nigeria and abroad.
As the event drew closer, I followed up with government for support with accommodation and feeding for foreign guests for the 3-day event. No response came. I had to borrow money to save the event and protect the name and image of my State. Till today I am still servicing those debts.
Painfully, even before the event, those who introduced me to the Governor stopped picking my calls or replying my messages.
This is my testimony: I supported the Man of God with sincerity, I invested my name, my resources, and my reputation to project Benue positively. My only expectation was the fulfillment of the promise made that day in the GRA residence.
Signed:
Hon. Dr. Levi Aondohemba Orhii MBA, FCIHTMA, CIHTM.
