Reported by: Donald Kumun | Edited by Henry Owen
Makurdi – The Jemgbagh people of Tiv land made history on September 28, 2025, by bestowing a royal blessing on their son, Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State, during the New Yam Festival. While culturally anchored, the event has quickly assumed strategic political significance, symbolically endorsing the Governor’s leadership and potentially shaping the electoral landscape ahead of 2027.
The festival, traditionally celebrating the harvest of yams—the “king of crops” in Tiv land—served as a backdrop for reaffirming communal loyalty to Governor Alia. Sharing the first new yam with his maternal community was not only an act of filial respect but also a visible demonstration of his connection to ancestral roots, reinforcing legitimacy that extends beyond policy achievements.
“My maternal home invited me to share a meal with them,” Governor Alia said. “It is literally the first new yams harvested for the cropping season, and as they begin this year, it is my intent that we make it an annual event for the entire Tiv land.” Analysts note that this vision elevates the festival from a cultural observance to a platform for political unification across Tiv communities, consolidating his base and strengthening identity-driven loyalty.
Political analysts emphasize the strategic weight of the Jemgbagh endorsement. Professor Chinyere Okeke, a political sociologist, explained, “In Tiv politics, maternal lineage carries immense influence. When a maternal community publicly blesses a leader, it reinforces both moral authority and political capital. This endorsement signals that Governor Alia’s leadership is accepted at the deepest communal level—a powerful advantage ahead of elections.”
Rival political operatives are watching closely. Sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue view the blessing as a calculated move to consolidate support in Tiv-majority areas, anticipating its ripple effects on voter alignment. A senior PDP strategist added, “While the festival is culturally significant, such endorsements inevitably become part of the political narrative. Governor Alia’s visibility and legitimacy in his maternal home may create momentum difficult for opponents to counter.”
Experts suggest that the festival’s timing—two years before the next gubernatorial election—could influence both intra-party negotiations and broader electoral strategies. Dr. John Ayua, a governance analyst, observed, “Cultural blessings like this are not just symbolic. They can reshape local alliances, affect party dynamics, and even determine which candidates gain traction in Tiv strongholds. For Governor Alia, the Jemgbagh endorsement enhances electability while signaling continuity to both supporters and neutral voters.”
The New Yam Festival itself underscores the link between Tiv culture and governance. According to His Royal Highness, Chief Daniel Ayua Abomtse, JP, Chairman of Gwer-West Local Government Traditional Council, the festival unites communities through shared feasting, pounded yam (ruam u iyou ki kumen), and communal participation, including those with poor harvests. Rituals such as divination (Ishor i kpehen) and seedling exchange reinforce cohesion and highlight ancestral authority, giving cultural legitimacy to the Governor’s leadership.
Public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media platforms were flooded with praise for the Governor’s humility, cultural rootedness, and achievements. “Governor Alia demonstrates that leadership is as much about connecting to your people as it is about governance. This cultural affirmation strengthens his credibility and moral authority,” tweeted one Makurdi resident. Analysts argue that his intention to expand the festival across Tiv land could consolidate identity politics, further reinforcing voter loyalty in traditionally competitive constituencies.
Political projections indicate that the blessing may impact the alignment of Tiv communities in the 2027 elections. Analysts suggest that maternal home endorsements can influence undecided voters and sway traditionally swing constituencies. Dr. Ifeanyi Adebayo, a governance expert, explained, “Such cultural interventions are particularly potent in areas where communal identity intersects with political loyalty. The Jemgbagh blessing could serve as a unifying anchor, making it more difficult for opposition parties to fracture the Tiv vote.”
Rival parties are likely to recalibrate their strategies in response. Sources within the PDP suggest they may focus on building alliances in non-Tiv constituencies or emphasize policy contrasts, while APC factions may attempt to capitalize on the Governor’s endorsement to expand influence among Tiv communities supportive of continuity. Political watchers note that the next 18 months will be crucial in translating cultural legitimacy into tangible electoral advantage.
Ultimately, the Jemgbagh blessing represents a convergence of culture, ancestry, spirituality, and politics. Governor Alia’s record—spanning agriculture, infrastructure, education, security reforms, and governance innovations—is seen as divinely sanctioned by his maternal lineage. The endorsement is not only a homecoming but a reaffirmation of his leadership and a symbolic mandate for continuity until 2031.
As Benue State looks toward 2027, the Jemgbagh event underscores the role of culture in political strategy, demonstrating that effective leadership is rooted not only in policy and performance but also in identity, legitimacy, and ancestral approval. For Governor Alia, the New Yam Festival has become both a celebration of heritage and a political springboard, reinforcing his influence and shaping the trajectory of Benue State politics.
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