Justin Gbagir, an aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Buruku constituency, Benue State House of Assembly, says the state’s decades of underdevelopment cannot be reversed by any governor in a single term.

Mr Gbagir, a former executive director of the Justice and Rights Initiative (JRI), made the assertion on Monday in Makurdi, the state capital, during a press briefing, where he also announced his resignation as the JRI boss.

The legal practitioner stated that the idea that deep structural problems could be solved within a single political cycle was unrealistic.

He said that meaningful transformation required patience, continuity, and deliberate support for people-centred governance.

Mr Gbagir pointed out that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia was an example of a reform agenda that had been misunderstood and unfairly resisted.

The former ED noted that internal party opposition and political rivalry had created a chaotic atmosphere that is distracting Mr Alia from governance.

He said that the testimonies of development recorded in the last two and a half years, particularly in salary regularisation and renewed infrastructure efforts, showed that the state had begun a recovery journey, even though much remained to be done.

According to him, Benue, between 1999 and 2023, experienced persistent underdevelopment despite substantial inflows from the federation account and internally generated revenue (IGR).

“On assumption of office in May 2023, the governor met a state where civil servants were owed salary arrears, salaries were not paid as and when due, and retired civil servants were owed pensions and gratuities.

“Makurdi, the Benue capital, was wearing the face of a glorified community headquarters.

“The testimonies evidenced by the monumental development strides of Alia in the last two and a half years have been alarming, and he should be given another opportunity so that he can consolidate on his great works of emancipation and liberation,” Mr Gbagir said.

Mr Gbagir, who is vying for the Buruku State Constituency, said his desire was to strengthen legislative backing for policies that directly improve citizens’ lives.

He described the legislature as the symbol of democracy and the engine room of accountability, lawmaking, and public debate, stressing that without a purposeful assembly, executive reforms were often slowed or derailed.

Mr Gbagir argued that effective governance thrives when the executive and legislature work collaboratively, noting that legislative support reduces gridlock, promotes political stability, and restores public confidence in government.

He further disclosed that he had formally registered as an APC member in Mbaade Ward, Buruku Local Government of the state, appealing to his constituents to support his bid.

(NAN)