A former National Chairman of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Barnabas Gemade, has disclosed reasons for throwing his weight behind Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State.
Gemade had long joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contested the party’s governorship ticket alongside the governor with many others.
After the primaries, he went to court to contest outcome of the exercise which led to the emergence of the governor as the party’s flag bearer.
The former senator. however, resolved his differences with the governor much later.
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Speaking to a crowd of APC supporters in Katsina-Ala on Tuesday, Gemade advanced several reasons for throwing his weight behind Alia.
Gemade said it was important to note that Alia’s coming is a divine event because, “the priest is a representative of God on earth, for that reason, if a priest has been assigned a responsibility he does not need a godfather. A priest that represent God here on earth has no business with another human being calling himself a godfather.
“Father Alia can only have a father not a godfather, and I will be very happy as a bonafide son of Jechira and an experienced man at politics with all that it takes to be a father to anybody, I am very proud to be the father of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia and that is all he needs.”
He further described Alia as a humble and God-fearing man, adding, “I used to know how people call me “Nomiyange” (a shining bright star), that when I shine, but truly, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia came out with his sun which shines more and stronger than mine.
“So I decided to retreat so as to do no other work but to support him to do things that God Almighty has asked him to do that will bring development to Benue State and he is already doing those things.
“I have only one thing to tell you the people of Sankera. There is nothing more than unity, it is one of the greatest things you must do in this state. Each time I have an opportunity to talk, I say this. You must embrace unity and support the Alia’s administration to succeed.”