From the Precinct of the Pulpit to the Political stage, Benue welcomes Reverend Father turn Governor-elect

Reverend Father Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Governor-elect of Benue state may not be a popular figure in Nigeria political scene, but the miracle working priest has always been a household name in Benue especially among the Catholic faithfuls.

His healing meetings which started out as a small congregational gathering became famous attracting people seeking miracles from within and outside of Benue. The holy water he sprayed on those who came to seek divine encounters was dubbed “Alia’s water”.

Despite his seemly popularity in Benue, a lot of people do not know him outside the pulpit. So, who is this cleric now poised to take over as Benue next governor. ValidView Network chronicles the man with the slogan, “Yes Father”

Early Life and Education
Rev Fr. Dr Hyacinth Alia was born on May 14, 1966, in Mbangur, Mbadede, in Vandeikya local government area of Benue state to the family of Mr and Mrs Thomas Katsina Alia.

He attended St. Francis Primary school, Agidi, Mbatiav in Gboko local government area of Benue state for his First School Leaving Certificate and proceeded to the then St. James Minor Seminary

To qualify as a Catholic Priest, Alia gained admission to study at St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos. He obtained a Diploma in Religious Studies in 1987 and a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Theology in 1990.

He later proceeded to Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA, for a Master of Arts in Religious Education (Psychology and Counseling) in 1999. He moved to Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, in 2004 for another Master of Arts in Biomedical Ethics. Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Alia completed his Doctorate in Biomedical Ethics at the same University in 2005.

Pastoral work
On July 7, 1990, Alia was ordained a Catholic priest by late Bishop Athanisius Usuh, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral, Makurdi. It was after his ordination that his healing masses programme began.

In his pastoral service, Alia has served as Director of Pastoral Services, Catholic Health Services, North Campus Lauderdale Lakes, Florida USA, during which he led and oversaw five full time contract Chaplains, provided annual development of departmental goals and budget, coordinated Ethics Advisory Committee, assessed and planned pastoral services and programmes as well as provided short and long term counseling services.

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In the area of Parish work, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has served variously as parochial vicar at St John’s Parish Gboko, assistant Cathedral Administrator, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral Makurdi, Parish Priest at St Jude’s Parish Koti-Yough, Parochial Vicar Immaculate Conception Parish Astoria, New York, Parochial Vicar Our Lady of the Cenacle Parish Richmond Hill Queens New York, Parish Priest St Thomas Parish Anum Makurdi, Parish Priest Christ the King Parish Adi Etilo.

His foray into partisan politics
Despite knowing that the canon law of the Catholic church forbids its clerics from being involved in partisan politics, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia in 2022 took the Governorship Form of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 election. He was subsequently barred from public ministry by the Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Gboko, His Lordship, Most Reverend William Avenya in May 2022.

However, speaking during a press conference, Alia said his motivation to abandon the pulpit and vie for governorship was driven by the need to turn the state into a better place and liberate the people from poverty. The cleric said he was determined to redeem the state and that he was aware of the sacrifices required.

The cleric is the first governorship candidate in the state to face party primary election three times and emerge victorious in all re-runs defeating 11 other aspirants

On Monday, March 20, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Alia as the winner of the Benue State governorship election with a total score of 473,933 votes to beat his closest rival, Titus Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the current Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly who polled 223,913 votes.

The margin of win is 250,020 votes based on the total number of votes collated from 22 out of the 23 local government areas of Benue State

While Rev Fr. Alia may have become the governor-elect, there have also been concerns about the position of the first lady in the state given that the priest is not married.

Rev Fr. Alia won’t be the first cleric to rule Benue, as late Moses Adasu, also a Catholic priest, had served as governor from 1992 to 1993. But all eyes are keen to see how Alia will survive his many adversaries and mount the affairs of the state, spreading his healing powers all over the land.

The election of Rev. Fr. Alia is unique in that it came at a time that some Christian leaders had criticised the ruling party for embarking on a Muslim -Muslim ticket for the President and the Vice-President of the country. While the criticisms went on , Rev. Fr Alia strengthened his political network which eventually led to his emergence as Governor-elect under the same ruling party.