Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Door-to-Door and Neighbour-to-Neighbour Network for Alia/Ode has been reconstituted and set for renewed grassroots mobilisation across Benue State, with a mandate to build support for the re-election of Governor Hyacinth Alia and his deputy, Barrister Sam Ode.
The campaign network, according to its State Convener and Coordinator, Dr. Mkor Aondona, is designed as a broad-based grassroots political machinery focused on effective voter mobilisation, political sensitisation and the dissemination of information on the achievements of the Alia administration.
The network is also expected to engage communities, neighbourhoods, groups and individual voters in constructive conversations about the administration’s first-term record while encouraging greater participation in the electoral process.
At the heart of the initiative is a door-to-door strategy intended to take the re-election campaign directly to residents and voters in their communities, wards and polling units.
Dr. Aondona said the network would also work towards creating awareness around the achievements of Governor Alia, defending the administration’s record where necessary and building constructive partnerships with Benue indigenes, friends and other well-meaning stakeholders..
The reconstituted network is not entirely new to Benue’s political landscape. According to Dr. Aondona, the organisation played a significant role in the 2023 governorship election, deploying its grassroots structure across designated target populations, groups, polling units and council wards.
The coordinator said the network’s activities during the 2023 election produced what he described as significant electoral results, with field data compiled from the governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 18, 2023.
According to the figures released by the network, Governor Alia recorded substantial votes across the five identified Tiv blocs.
In Jemgbagh, comprising Gboko, Tarka and Buruku, the network recorded 105,120 votes.
The Jechira bloc, covering Konshisha and Vandeikya, accounted for 60,783 votes, while Kwande, comprising Kwande and Ushongo, was credited with 31,946 votes, specifically from Ushongo.
The Sankera bloc, covering Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo, recorded 78,424 votes, while Minda, comprising Makurdi, Guma, Gwer East and Gwer West, accounted for 102,833 votes.
The network also presented figures based on the state’s three senatorial zones, putting the totals at 171,153 votes for Zone A, 207,953 votes for Zone B and 94,827 votes for Zone C.
Dr. Aondona attributed the figures to field surveys and political data from the 2023 governorship election, which he said were carefully monitored and compiled as part of the network’s documentation and strategy process.
Grassroots Politics at the Centre
The renewed mobilisation effort comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with political actors increasingly focusing on grassroots structures as a critical component of electoral success.
For the Alia/Ode network, the emphasis is on taking the campaign beyond conventional political rallies and placing greater attention on direct engagement with voters at the community and neighbourhood levels.
The network believes that sustained engagement with residents will provide an avenue to explain the administration’s policies and programmes while also allowing voters to assess its performance and determine whether continuity is desirable.
The group has therefore opened its membership to willing Benue citizens, describing participation as voluntary and driven by individuals’ conviction in the achievements of the administration and their desire for its continuity.
According to the announcement, membership is open to “all willing and well-meaning Benue citizens,” regardless of their location within the state, provided they identify with the objectives of the re-election campaign.
A Campaign Built Around Continuity
The network’s central argument is that the 2027 election should provide an opportunity for the Alia/Ode administration to consolidate its first-term initiatives and complete what it describes as the administration’s development agenda for Benue.
Its mobilisation strategy is consequently expected to revolve around the projection of the government’s achievements, voter sensitisation and advocacy for continuity.
Beyond political mobilisation, the network says it intends to collaborate with individuals and organisations that share its vision for the state’s development, creating what it describes as a broad coalition of supporters ahead of the election.
The specific composition of the state working committee of the reconstituted campaign network is expected to be announced subsequently.
Dr. Mkor Aondona, who serves as Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Benue State on Research, Documentation and Strategy, will coordinate the network at the state level.
With the reconstitution, the Door-to-Door and Neighbour-to-Neighbour Network is positioning itself for another extensive grassroots campaign, drawing on its 2023 experience while seeking to expand its reach across Benue’s communities, wards and polling units ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
