Hyacinth Alia, a Catholic priest and governorship aspirant on the platform of APC in Benue, on Sunday pledged to represent the church well in his political and personal conduct.

Mr Alia was reacting to his suspension by the Vatican through a letter signed by William Avenya, the bishop of Gboko Diocese in Benue.

The aspirant was suspended to allow him to pursue his political career but will be welcomed back after.

Mr Alia said that the church’s directive was in line with the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of clergy members and laity.

He pledged not to disappoint the church, saying that his aim in going into politics was to bring positive change in governance and the lives of the Benue people.

“I will gladly return to continue ministration after repositioning the leadership quagmire in the state.

“I will be the arrowhead of positive political symbolism within the confines of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.

Mr Alia explained that there was nothing wrong with clergy members participating in active politics, as long as the aim was for the common good of the people.

He said that Benue required purposeful leadership to address the myriads of problems bedevilling it.

The governorship aspirant listed some of the problems to include the absence of good leadership, underdevelopment, poverty, insecurity, and gradual loss of confidence in government.

According to Mr Alia, it is necessary also to reposition the civil service to function effectively as the engine room of government through which the challenges will be tackled.

(NAN)