Following the decision to vie for the Senatorial seat of the Benue South Senatorial District on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the immediate past commissioner of Finance in Benue State, Dr David Olofu, the people of Oju/Obi Federal Constituency has unanimously agreed to cede the position to Apa/Agatu Federal constituency.
The ceding, they said was in the interest of equity, fairness and justice even though Oju/Obi and Apa/Agatu Federal constituencies were the only segments of the Benue South Senatorial District yet to produce a Senator.
Speaking during the consultation visits to Oju and Obi Local Government Areas last Tuesday, the Oju Local Government Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, John Odeh disclosed that their decision to stand by Dr Olofu was born out of the fact that the Igede people have been subjected to a ferocious degree of marginalization and suffering by those representing the Senatorial district at the moment despite the huge support given to the incumbent Senator in the last two elections.
In a firm voice, Odeh declared, “Your Excellency, the Igede nation under Benue South, will not repeat the mistake of the past. Six years ago, we entrusted our mandate to a man whose ambition brought sorrow to our land and sent many of our prominent sons and daughters into silence.
“That is the same man who ignored the cries of the Igede people. That is the man who forgot the importance of the Igede nation. That is the man who disregarded the blood and sacrifices of our people.
“But today, we say Enough is Enough. We are wiser, we are stronger, and the painful memories of those dark memories remain fresh in our hearts”, he sadly enthused in a sotto voice.
The Chairman reiterated that their decision apart from the neglect suffered in the hands of the People’s Democratic Party representative was predicated on the need to entrench justice, equity and balance, hence the pendulum must as a matter of neccesity swing to the Apa/Agatu Federal constituency stressing that “as we journey towards victory, we humbly request that you carry the Igede nation along by including us in the strategic committees and every key movement of your political structure”.
In his speech, his Obi counterpart, Ogbu Isaac Odang disclosed that the decision to cede the position to Apa/Agatu Federal constituency and support Dr Olofu was a collective decision by the entire Igede people in the African Democratic Congress.
“After due consultations among the leaders from a critical stakeholders meeting that took place days ago, we have unanimously agreed to queue behind our brothers and sisters from Apa/Agatu to produce the next Senator from Zone C, come 2027”.
Earlier, the traditional rulers from the two local government areas who blessed the Senatorial aspirant said even though that they were apolitical, their children who practices politics would no doubt work assiduously for the success of Dr Olofu’s in the forthcoming elections.
The First Class Chief of the Igede nation, Adirahu I’gede, Chief Oga Ero who described Dr Olofu as a true philanthropist, a man well tested and trusted prayed for his success saying “I am optimistic that when you go to the Senate, my Igede people will be adequately remembered.
“Your candidature will further solidify the existing relationship between the Igede people and Apa/Agatu people. In the past, we used to do things together. Now is the time to do it again. What is good for the geese is equally good for the gander. The Igede people will support you. You don’t have any problem here but don’t forget us when you get to the Senate.
“You have seen the state of our road. Does it look like a road leading to where human beings are living? How I wish that your visit is during the rainy season. That road is our major problem. Please, lobby for it to be done when you go to the Senate”, he pleaded.
In their separate remarks, the Second class Chiefs of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas, Chief Ulegede and Chief Ode Emmanuel Okpabi also repeated similar calls saying that what was needed was somebody that could extricate the people from the shackles of underdevelopment.
Also speaking, Former Commissioner for internal Affairs, Engr Okpe Onah, former member of the Benue State House of Assembly, Egbiri Idah and former council Chairman of Oju who was also until recently the Zonal Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Godwin Owulo all declared their unalloyed supports for Dr Olofu and pleaded that the aspirant should help the Igede people to actualize their Senatorial ambition after his tenure.
Earlier, Dr Adakole Elijah and Mrs Oowo Ameh who thanked the Igede people for their resilience in the face of several subjugation said that Dr Olofu when voted to the Senate would wipe their tears.
According to the duo, the Idoma people have collectively yielded to the need for the Senate to rotate round the entire gamut of the Benue-South Senatorial District.
Elijah in particular averred that the Otukpo/Ohimini had in the past been adequately represented in the Senate by Senator David Mark while Okpokwu/Ado/Ogbadibo had had Senator Ameh Ebute twice, Senator Godwin Okpe once and Senator Abba Moro twice, hence the ineligible of the people from the two Federal Constituencies to vie for the Senate at the moment.
Dr Elijah who said that only Apa/Agatu and Oju/Obi Federal Constituencies were the only segment of the Benue South Senatorial District that should be allowed to gun for the Senatorial slot charged the Igede people not to support any body from Otukpo/Ohimini and Okpokwu/Ogbadibo/Ado Federal Constituencies gunning for the Senate if they truly want to be emancipated.
“At the end of the tenure of the Apa/Agatu, no Idoma man will flaunt any moral courage to come out for the Senate apart from my Igede brothers and sisters. What we are doing now is to create a fertile atmosphere for you to get to the the Senate in the very near future”, he disclosed.
In his remarks, the Senatorial contender, Dr David Olofu, said if given the mandate he would utilise it for the benefit of all and sundry.
He said that he would run an all inclusive representation that the people of the Igede and Idoma would be proud of as there would be no form of marginalization or preferential treatments for any particular segment of the Benue South Senatorial District.
“I will treat every body as my people. I will treat you just as I will treat my Opaha people. I will be fair to all. I will be your Senator not a Senator of a particular area. I will use my experience, education and connection to attract development projects to all nooks and crannies of the senatorial district”, he said.
