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By Comrade Ogor Mathias || 1st July 2022
Published on Comrade Ogor Mathias Facebook wall
I am not sure I know how to address you, especially now that you are no more, as the official salutation of dear sir is of no use since you are now in eternity. In the build-up to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, I had decided to write two letters, one to you and the other to Royal Highness, Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa. I thought I should begin with you for obvious reasons. These letters are my formal way of having an imaginary conversation with both of you as I was taught by his Lordship, Dr. Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah.
Though I was old enough to have known you much, I did not get the opportunity to see you more than twice. Like many Igede Children of the ’90s ’90s who were not privileged to meet you in person, they heard about you and only had images of you in their minds. It is worth knowing that your name has been inscribed in the national and Benue state political affairs as one among the notable fallen heroes and democrats whose labor shall not be in vain. Your place in history is assured.
As a child, I am scared of approaching you with issues of Igede public interest which are of no concern to some persons harvesting fruits from the failed political system and its leaders to the detriment of the suffering masses. Like a child who will always run to his caring parents to share his feelings when nobody gives him attention, I decided to present my worries for the overall interest of Igede people to you.
Though, therapeutically, I feel writing to you at this fragile juncture of the state you once governed for 8years as a deputy governor under the then administration of Dr. George Akume from 1999-2007 would relieve me from heartache as your surviving siblings are grossly marginalized. We have no place in the state political sphere as our Tiv and Idoma brethren continue to witch-hunt us in the name of the minority for having only Oju and Obi out of the 23 local governments of the state.
It’s over 15 years since you have left office as the second person of the state, but you would regret to know that no Igede son has been considered for a similar offer or appointed into a principal position to date. I kept on pondering on the synergy of purpose that brought you to power for 8years as we can’t find the bearing to power in today’s modern politics. I wish to ask for the political tricks that led to the consideration of an Igede man to deputize Dr. George Akume in 2007 as we push with appeal and lobby for the APC slot of deputy governor in the 2023 general elections. The chronic wound in our hearts will not be healed if we don’t produce the next deputy governor of the state as it’s the turn of the old Oju bloc.
When you look back now, I believe you will realize the political foundation you had built earlier for the next generation has been destroyed. I feel obliged as my conscience will never be cleared if I fail to brief you on how far we have come politically as people of common origin and Identity. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, It’s an understatement to say no Igede son has been elected as a senator for zone C Benue South senatorial district which comprises the Igede and Idoma people. The third-largest tribe in the state is now relegated to her Federal constituency in the House of Representatives with a battle for supremacy and finance among your brothers who will represent the poor people at the Green Chambers.
Worse still, hatred, selfish ambition, and interest have engulfed the unity and progress of the land of your siblings amid gross marginalization. Since then, there has been increasing distrust among our people and the chasm has grown even deeper. Though I know I will be whipped by those who have betrayed and are still dragging us into the mud without bringing dividends of democracy to the people. Politics of calumny and vilification have taken over our land with desperation for gory power by such elements.
You are a selfless leader who has the quality, the aura, the charm, the charisma, but your brothers have chosen a strange path than your footprint. I fear that some of the values you have created in the country politically are heading into oblivion as we search for who can replicate such values from the Igede axis.
Sir, It will gladden your heart from beyond to hear and know that Igede today has a first-class chief known as, “Adirahu ny’Igede” like our brothers in the state have Tor Tiv and Och’ Idoma. Your heart must be bleeding at the sight of what has become of the Igede today. Evil has ensnared your ancestral home as herdsmen have spilled much blood with unaccounted graves. The purity of your home is now stained, the peace is negotiable while her fertile land has lost its fertility. Yet, we continue to wear our cultural attires when the green, white, and black stripes on them have lost their true meaning. So, pa please, pray for us to have a more open and tolerant society.
Give my warm regards to Dr Amogo Ogaga Agocha, Designer, Igede Cultural Attire, Ajene Okpabi, Amb Oga Okwoche, HRH Ikande Idikwu, Ogbiloko, Igo Aruta, my uncle Hon Item Peter Ikeh and Odeh Obaike.
SOME COMMENTS
a. This is a serious piece which calls for deeper philosophical thought. The issues x-ray in this discourse, tell the ordeal of Igede nation who has been alienated from the political clime of Benue State.
It ponders me the political intrigues that brought Late Igiri Ajene to power in 1999.
Where were our Idoma brothers?
Igede deserves Deputy governor slot come 2023 or call us out.
Thank you, brother.
R. I. P to our political hero, Prince Igiri Ajene.
b. This brings sad memories to my heart! The day our leader, the late Prince Ogiri Ajene, was laid to rest was the day light was shot against Igede. Darkness beclouded us. Our enemies rejoiced. They are still basking in that glory 15 years later. They mocked us while they mourned with us.
In their hearts they said, look at them, they’ve lost their voice, who will speak for them now? They’ve lost their face, who will show up for them now? They’ve lost their father, who will defend them now? “We’ve been lost ever since.
Great leader. Ogewu nya ala Igede.
Please pray for us, so God can raise for us a leader that could fit in your shoes. We miss you as much as we love you. Continue to rest in Peace my Leader.
c. I was opportune to meet him twice, 1st was the day he called my elder brother OPP to come to Itakpa make, that he wants him to do something for the Itakpa people,when we went there we all enter his car from Itakpa market to Anglican School Juction, and he open his car an give us some ornamental plant for us to plant from that juction to Itakpa market, but make I shock u,I no no how Itakpa people take destroy sum of those plants till date, the day this man die I feel as if is my biological brother, REST well my great leader.
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