Alia: Benue’s Interest Will Guide Decision on FG Ranching Plan

Amarachi Ihesiulo

August 17, 2026
3 min read
Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured residents that the state government will prioritise the interests and welfare of the people in deciding whether to participate in the Federal Government’s proposed pilot ranching programme.

Alia also urged residents and stakeholders to exercise patience and allow the government to carefully consider the proposal before reaching a decision, warning against attempts to politicise the matter through public gatherings, churches, markets or the media.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, made this known in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday.

Kula said Alia was actively consulting with relevant stakeholders and authorities on the proposal and had never supported any position capable of undermining the interests of Benue State.

He described the governor as a democrat who remained conscious that his mandate was derived from the people, adding that every resident had a role to play in determining the state’s future.

According to him, the Federal Government’s proposal to establish pilot ranches in selected states, including Benue, requires careful consideration rather than immediate public reactions.

Kula said there was no need for residents to take the matter to the streets, churches, markets or the media in an attempt to politicise the issue before the government concludes its consultations.

He said the governor was “fully engaged” on the matter and was weighing the possible implications of the ranching proposal on the state and its people.

“The governor is fully engaged on the matter and remains in consultation with the people and relevant authorities,” Kula said.

He added that Alia would approach the issue with “careful consideration and strategic judgement”, ensuring that the interests of Benue and its people remained his foremost priority.

The clarification comes amid discussions surrounding the Federal Government’s plan to establish pilot ranches in parts of the country as part of efforts to address recurring farmer-herder conflicts and improve livestock management.

Benue has historically been at the centre of debates over open grazing and livestock management, with the state government maintaining the importance of protecting agricultural communities and their livelihoods.

Kula said not every government issue required an immediate public pronouncement, stressing that measured deliberation could produce better outcomes.

“Sometimes, measured deliberation produces better outcomes,” he said, urging residents to remain patient and engage constructively while the state government evaluates the proposal.

He assured Benue residents that any eventual decision would be guided by what the government considers to be in the best interest of the state and its people.

The governor’s position is expected to shape the state’s response to the Federal Government’s ranching initiative as consultations continue.

Alia: Benue’s Interest Will Guide Decision on FG Ranching Plan

Amarachi Ihesiulo

Amarachi Ihesiulo

Categories

Search

Recent Post

Imo Bans Street Trading, Roadside Hawking in

Alia: Benue’s Interest Will Guide Decision on

Army Repels ISWAP Attack on Borno Military

Stay In Touch

Featured Videos

Popular Categories

Useful Links

Follow us

Alia: Benue’s Interest Will Guide Decision on FG Ranching Plan

Categories

Search

Recent Post

Never Miss A Post!

Stay In Touch

Featured Videos

All Tags

Related Posts

Popular Categories

Useful Links

Never Miss A Post!

Follow us