The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof. Sebastine Hon SAN has made poverty eradication the centerpiece of his campaign ahead of the 2027 election.
With the slogan “Chan u ya chan” — meaning poverty must end at all cost — Prof. Hon has given supporters an inspirational rallying cry and a clear roadmap for lifting Benue people out of poverty.
Prof. Hon has identified specific steps to achieve this vision:
1. End Insecurity, Return Farmers to Farm
He promises to tackle insecurity head-on so that displaced farmers can return to their ancestral lands to cultivate without fear.
2. Subsidized Farm Inputs + Strategic Grain Reserves
His administration will provide farming inputs at highly subsidized rates to enable farmers to cultivate on a large scale.
When harvests lead to a glut and prices crash, the government will “mop up” excess produce, store them and release them during periods of scarcity to stabilize prices for consumers.
3. Ward-Level Grants for Scale Businesses
Prof. Hon will give grants annually to not less than 20 people in each of the 276 council wards.
His projection is that in four years, Benue will have produced at least 22,080 new entrepreneurs across the state — with the potential of creating 80 millionaires in each ward over time.
4. Rural Roads for Market Access
Massive construction of rural roads will be prioritized to help farmers evacuate produce from farms to urban markets with ease and minimal post-harvest loss.
5. Local Government Autonomy.
Prof. Hon as an advocate for local government autonomy will ensure that the third tier of government manages its funds. By this, there will be contract jobs at the grassroots which will greatly impact the economy at that level.
“All this and many more will be adopted to wipe away tears from the eyes of the people,” Prof. Hon has said.
Never before has a leader come with such a clear and deliberate intention to fight poverty and assuage the pains of the people.
If implemented, the “Chan u ya chan” agenda will make Benue State truly live up to its name as the Food Basket of the Nation.
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