Benue State Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode, has pledged to mobilise support across the state to ensure President Bola Tinubu secures one million votes in the 2027 presidential election.

Ode made the commitment on Thursday while speaking during an inspection tour of federal and state government projects in Makurdi with journalists and government officials.

He said the pledge was in line with an earlier declaration by Governor Hyacinth Alia that Benue would deliver one million votes for the president, adding that he would work with members of the State Executive Council and other stakeholders to achieve the target.

“The governor has already made the commitment that Benue will deliver one million votes for Mr President. My responsibility as deputy governor is to mobilise the executive council and the people of the state to actualise that promise,” he said.

In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu polled 310,468 votes in Benue State, narrowly defeating Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, who secured 308,372 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Atiku Abubakar, garnered 130,081 votes. The state had 2,777,727 registered voters during the election.

The deputy governor also commended the Federal Government for ongoing infrastructure projects in the state, describing them as significant interventions that would improve development and economic activities.

He said the Benue State Government established the Food Basket Brewery as part of efforts to stimulate industrial growth and create jobs, noting that the facility now produces the Zeva brand of beer and Zeva malt.

According to him, the construction of the Buruku Bridge by the Federal Government would end years of transportation challenges and recurring boat accidents that have claimed lives and destroyed property.

Ode described the bridge as a “golden gift” to the people of Benue, adding that when completed, it would improve connectivity between Benue and Taraba states while strengthening links between the North-Central and North-East regions.

Also speaking during the inspection, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the projects demonstrated how the Federal Government was investing borrowed funds in infrastructure development.

He said the Buruku Bridge would ease movement, reduce travel time and improve commercial activities by connecting previously underserved communities with major urban centres.