Hyacinth Alia, a Catholic priest and newly elected Governor of Benue State, was sworn in yesterday.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the IBB Square in Makurdi, the state capital, was conducted by John Terhemba Tsoho, the chief judge of the state.

Dignitaries, including religious leaders, and citizens from across the state were also in attendance.

The oath-taking turned out to be a unique one, as two female secondary school students held the bible for the priest, a duty often reserved for incoming first ladies. As a Catholic priest, Alia has no wife.

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In May 2022, Alia joined Benue State’s gubernatorial race, running on the APC platform. While responding to questions on why he joined the race, he said it was to rescue the state’s indigenes from the shackles of maladministration.

In a swift reaction, the Catholic Church hierarchy in the state clarified that the canon law forbids clerics from active participation in politics. After taking a position on the matter, the church suspended Alia for his actions. The priest was also issued a suspension letter to formalise the church’s decision.

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Reacting to his suspension, Alia said he was determined to rescue the state from poverty. He said that he was well aware of the sacrifices he would have to make in making his “good plans” for the state become a reality.

He then vowed to return to the pulpit after serving out his mandate as governor.

Alia has vowed in his inaugural speech to serve the people of Benue State with utmost sincerity, transparency and accountability.