Like the ongoing World cup organized by FIFA, there is a method set to elimate teams until the final day and then the presentation of the World Cup to only one team. I think we should do same in OJU 1 constituency of the BSHA, which major contenders are Hon Otumala Ogbu the incumbent from APC, Hon Sunday Ija from Labour Party and Hon Blessed Emmanuel from PDP. Apology to other contenders not in my list- no malicious intention intended.
Two on my list are from Ibilla Council ward, while Hon Sunday is from Ukpa/Ainu Ete Council ward. I think is better when we do elimination from Ibilla and allow the one person to enter the second round of elimination. At round two, it will be Hon Sunday Ija and the winner from Ibilla. So, let’s look honestly devoid of sentiment and primitivity at Hon Otumala and Hon Emmanuel. Nobody should think is a paid write-up, because is not–Ekurwe is just in love with Igede.
For those that are not disposed to read long articles, let me tell you my personal conclusion incase you will not read to the end. Hon Otumala has done his best within the four years and is obvious that the challenges are more than his capacity to handle, so he should rest and allow Hon Emmanuel to come on stage.
People that followed events that led to the victory of Hon Otumala will understand that he flew to the Benue House of Assembly on the wings of goodwill from his family-of course the revered and celebrated family of an Igede first eleven, Chief Ogbu Ochi. The antecedents of the elder and younger siblings, the Akume-Morgan-APC influence and sincerely nothing much from himself–my personal opinion anyway. I personally advocated for him with all the passion that I have based on my relationship with the family.
His known problem was when Governor Ortom moved to PDP and he remained loyal to APC, but that does not justify non-performance as our mandate holder. Obviously, his mandate was not annulled and so that excuse will only be tenable in Nursery schools. Leadership is not about absence of problems, but the ability to weather through and give light at the end of every dark tunnel. How are we sure, that the excuse will suddenly disappear in 2023 after elections and Benue State dominated by TIV and IDOMA will be disposed to help an Igede legistlator that is playing a PITY CARD.
Hon Otumala’s media handlers with all their expertise failed to market him, they made effort with the culverts at Ojegbe road and it did not ‘catch’ as ‘Naija’ will say. What again, few ceremonies, few pictures of his outing, few weak ovation and the rest is silence until now that we are close to elections. Who does that as an elected officer? I saw a caption recently about him that wrote ‘CONSOLIDATION 2023’ and I am yet to check the meaning.
Funny enough, those rooting for Hon Otumala are honest to agree that he is a non-performer. Weirdly, people that hate Hon Emmanuel often testify that he is better than Hon Otumala. The only reason they want to reward Otumala for failed representation is that ‘ Adinu axis will not have to contend with a fresh person that will want to do another term like Hon Okanga of Oju 2. What a very weak reason to reward Hon Otumala with another term?
Hon Emmanuel is a known grassroot person. He started as a church boy and local celebrated MC known as ‘Blessed Uncle Emmanuel’. His local news and other funny offline skirts formed a bedrock of Igede Christian entertainment in the early 2000. He is a youth mobilizer and lover of children. All these years, Blessed Uncle Emmanuel was not indicted or even rumoured to have impregnated a girl, or have a known girlfriend before he married, not suspected to have a relationship with a married women like most local celebrities, he is not known to drink alcohol or see around joints drinking ‘Erujeje or Sekpee’. He had participated in all most Christian campaigns and events across all denominations in Igedeland. He is known to be close to all christain elders in Oju and Obi, outside Igede and Benue State up to Abuja. His role during Ukpute crisis and the relief materials stood him out and undeniable. I will not want to talk about his recent charity work that Ambassador Smith Akoko is publicizing left and right–those ones are for me too close to election period and may have political colouration (on a lighter note, incase Akoko may want to do a long rejoinder).
This hatched political cliché making the rounds should be jettisoned–“Hon Emmanuel is setting a political trap for Zone A”. Let’s face reality, there will be primary elections to have a flagbearer; how big will the trap be to catch 5 other council wards in Oju 1? How strong will he be politically in four years to be able to defeat the will of 5 other Council wards even if he is able to corner Ibilla ward to himself? Considering Hon Blessed’s antecendent, do you think he will destroy it for political reasons? Do you think, he will not consider his Christian friends and the hard earned reputation built over years? Let us give him the benefit of doubt and I am sure it will not be a foolish decision to take. We have a common ground already- he is a good guy better than the incumbent and well connected to influence goodies for us.
Blessed Uncle Emmanuel Onah is good to go, afterall the incumbent is tired. How do I know he is weak and tired– his recent commissioning of Ihygile Market in Uje, an empty bush, no dignitaries except Hon Ode Iganga that represented Hon David Ogewu. Matter arising between Hon Sunday Ija and Hon Emmanuel Onah will be a story for another day.
I still think is going to be vawlence free Sunday December 11, 2022.
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