Suspended Catholic Priest; Fr. Alia Receives Certificate Of Return

There is lots of jubilation in Benue State, Nigeria as governor-elect, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Iormem Alia receives a certificate of return.

Fr Alia received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC today.

The announcement caused a commotion in Makurdi, the state capital, as supporters flooded the streets to celebrate Alia’s triumph.

Titus Uba, a candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), came in second with 223,913 votes, while the Catholic priest received 473,933 more votes overall.

Governor Samuel Ortom of the PDP G5 is anticipated to be replaced by Alia, a member of the ruling APC.

The state’s March 18 governor election was won by the Roman Catholic priest who had been excommunicated by the Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State before the general polls.

Reacting to the suspension, the Head of Media and Publicity, Alia 2023 Gubernatorial Organization; Kula Tersoo, said the development was consistent with the regular practice of the church.

He explained that Alia remains a priest of the Catholic Church as the letter only suspended him from celebrating public Eucharistic masses. Tersoo added that the governorship aspirant will resume public masses and ministry once his tenure in public service comes to an end.

He cited a similar incident involving the second civilian governor of the state, the late Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu, who also went through the same process.

Tersoo also urged Alia’s supporters to remain calm because the cleric is well-prepared and focused on the task ahead.

While reacting to the question of never being married as a priest, Alia, through Kula, said he does not need a wife to govern Benue State.

Kula said Alia had worked as a Catholic priest for years without a wife and that his new position as governor would not be an exception. Alia stated that the country’s constitution does not even recognize the office of the first lady and that there was no provision for it in his administration.