A suspended priest in the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Hyacinth Alia, has stirred reactions after clinching the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue state.
National Daily reports that Alia was relieved of his priestly duties temporarily on the grounds of the canon laws of the Catholic church after his declaration.
The priest won after polling a total vote of over 7,000 votes at the primary election that was held on Friday.
He contested the party’s ticket with Barnabas Gemade, a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Mike Aondoakaa, a former attorney-general of the federation (AGF).
The priest said he joined the governorship race to rescue Benue people from the “shackles of maladministration”.
“From the day I decided to answer the overwhelming calls of my people to contest the governorship of Benue to rescue our people from the shackles of maladministration, I was fully aware of the sacrifice I was going to make,” he had said.
Reacting to the development, one princeclexino1 wrote; ”Why will they suspend him. If the pastor no fit to rule us then who will. Abi make Native doctor rule us ?”
happychildmo wrote; ”Benue people, from printer to priest”
enebelly wrote; ”There is a precedent to this in Benue State. Father Adam (SDP) was governor of Benue in the Third Republic.”
do2dtun wrote; ”Na that Catholic Church him go first to relocate if he becomes Governor .. power must change hands”