The 10th Benue State House of Assembly leadership has been constituted, and it is like the Igede Nation has missed out on all the house leadership positions. The much-desired Deputy Speaker has eluded Igede representatives in the house. Is it necessary to dig into what caused it?
Honestly, it will be a herculean task to know why we were not able to get the much anticipated Deputy Speaker. Many analysts have been trying since the inauguration day to find reasons or trying to discover the source of the problem. Let me briefly run down the reasons some analyst projected:
a. That it was a weak political system and the sluggishness of Igede political actors majorly accounted for it.
b. That the political actors failed to deploy appropriate lobbying strategy.
c. That the bulk of the problem was a faulty and selfish alliance with some political godfathers which divided the Igede strength to push.
d. Some sections feel we should have voted for representatives that will compete favourably with their contemporaries.
e. Some opined that the introduction of the mock presentation on the floor of the house was a deliberate elimination strategy.
f. A section feels that the opposing camp against our candidature used a lack of cohesion from our political stakeholders as a weapon.
g. Majority feel that we need to review the leadership recruitment criteria and employ only our first eleven.
h. Some accused the party leadership at the Local Government level and by extension the delegates that went for fat purses, thus preventing healthy competition during party primaries, and scheming competent intending candidates out.
i. A fraction faulted voters that saw APC candidates and voted for PDP.
j. One analyst pushed all the blame on Igede political stakeholders who will only wait to harvest from the party and do not consider sponsoring their political parties at the State level, as voices of party sponsors are highly considered during post sharing.
Chawowo, ela ochiche ka! Reality check–two of the three representatives from Igede are PDP, only Hon Ikong Cyril Ijebe is qualified to be a candidate for the Deputy Speaker. So our chances is one against the total numbers of APC representatives in Zone C. Could that be a limiting factor?
Ala Igede nya Adam, HOWEVER YOU TURN IT, THE gods ARE TO BE BLAMED; we should stop blaming ourselves. Yes, you heard me well– THE gods ARE TO BE BLAMED.
The wicked ‘god’ that made Igede people believed that the dominant tribes in the State at any time desired to see us prosper politically and convinced us that they would keep to their promises after the general elections.
That good for nothing ‘god’ that deceived us into believing that if an Igede person fulfilled all the criteria for a Deputy Speaker, we would be considered and made us think it is the fault of the political stakeholders of Igede extraction. Truth be told–even if we fulfil all the set qualities and we are perfect like the Pope, we will not be voted for. And in all sense of seriousness, that 419 ‘god’ that convinced us to believe that a leopard will cease to be one because it is dressed in a church gown. THE gods ARE TO BE BLAMED.
Before some analysts will mention the elevation to the post of Head of Service of an Igede person as one of the special favour that will warrant denial of the principal officer in the 10th assembly should keep their opinion as I am off with insufficient data. Sentiment and Benue politics aside, the HOS is super qualify by all civil service standard. Civil service elevation is different from political officer sharing.
To my beloved Igede people, let us encourage ourselves in the Lord and cherish our enduring heritage of love and unity. Opening another chapter in the book of lamentation will not do us any good. The erroneous impression that things would be better in the power sharing arrangement is like believing that bitter leaf juice is sweeter than honey. We may wish to learn and re-strategize for another election period.
Dated June 9, 2023
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