A New Social Contract: Governance for Every Benue Hand.

By Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah

My beloved people of Benue State, Fathers, mothers, farmers, traders, teachers, artisans, students, and the vibrant youth of our land. Today, I speak not as a politician seeking office, but as a son of this soil, humbled by our shared struggles and inspired by our collective possibilities.

For too long, governance has been spoken to the people, not with the people. Decisions that shape the lives of our communities are too often made behind closed doors—far from the cries of the marketplace, far from the sweat of the farms, far from the dreams of our young innovators.

But I say to you today: the era of exclusion must end. It is time for inclusive community governance—a new social contract where the government is not an empire of the few but a partnership of the many.

1. Government in the Hands of the People

Real governance begins when the farmer in Konshisha, the teacher in Ushongo, and the trader in Gboko all have a voice in shaping their future. This is the vision I carry—a Benue where every citizen, regardless of status, can participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives.

We must use technology as the great equalizer. Imagine a digital platform where citizens can report community needs, suggest policies, vote on development priorities, and track government spending in real time. Imagine a future where transparency is not demanded but delivered—automatically, efficiently, and openly.

In this future, governance becomes a two-way street—where the people speak and the leaders listen.

2. Reclaiming Our Strength: The Farming Sector

We are blessed by God with fertile lands and hardworking hands. Yet our farmers remain poor, not because they lack effort, but because they lack access—to information, to credit, to storage, to modern markets.

We will build digital agricultural hubs where farmers can access weather forecasts, learn best practices, connect with buyers directly, and receive fair prices without middlemen. We will support agro-tech startups, youth cooperatives, and community mechanization centers—so that farming becomes not a symbol of poverty, but a badge of innovation and dignity.

3. Reawakening the Industrial Spirit

Once upon a time, Benue was the industrial heartbeat of the Middle Belt. But today, our factories stand silent, our youths wander in search of jobs, and our resources are wasted.

We will change that.We will create industrial clusters across our local governments—centers for agro-processing, fabrication, and small-scale manufacturing.We will invite investors, but we will also empower locals. Our women will not only farm; they will process, brand, and export. Our young graduates will not only seek jobs; they will create them.

When the government partners with communities, every local government becomes a growth zone—and every youth becomes a stakeholder in progress.

4. The Digital and New Economy Revolution

The world has changed, my people. The future of wealth is digital, not just physical. Our young people are sitting on goldmines—ideas, skills, and creativity waiting to be unleashed.

We must build a Benue Digital Economy Model—training our youths in software development, digital marketing, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce. Through community innovation hubs, they can build digital products, attract global clients, and bring foreign income home. We will ensure that Benue State does not miss the train of the new economy.

Let us not be afraid of technology—it is not here to replace us, but to empower us.

5. Governance that Works for Everyone

Inclusive community governance means that every ward, every community, every citizen is seen, heard, and served. It means budgeting with the people, not for them. It means using technology to measure performance and ensure accountability. It means a bottom-up government—not the kind that dictates, but one that collaborates.

In this model, the village chief, the women’s group leader, the youth association head, the religious community, the farmers’ union—all become part of governance. When they speak, government listens. When they propose, government supports. That is the democracy we deserve.

6. My Pledge to You

My people, I pledge this: Under my leadership, we will not build walls; we will build bridges. We will not silence dissent; we will amplify ideas. We will not govern for applause; we will govern for results.

We will create a Benue Governance Dashboard where every citizen can see projects, budgets, and progress. We will build a People’s Digital Council where young innovators and local leaders can shape policies together. We will ensure that the Benue man, woman, and youth—whether in Gboko, Makurdi, Otukpo, or Vandeikya—feel the government in their everyday lives.

7. The Call to Action

My brothers and sisters, The dream of inclusive governance is not mine alone—it is ours. It requires that we speak up, participate, and take responsibility for the destiny of our land.

Let us join hands—farmers and tech innovators, market women and scholars, youth and elders—to build a New Benue powered by people, truth, and technology.

Let us show Nigeria that true leadership is not about power, but about partnership. Not about wealth, but about wisdom. Not about politics, but about people.

Together, we will build a Benue where no one is forgotten, where every idea matters, and where government truly belongs to the governed.

This is not just a promise—it is a covenant with the people. A covenant to govern with you, for you, and among you.

Thank you, and may God bless Benue State. May God bless the people of Nigeria.