I have viewed recent political developments in the Idah federal constituency of Kogi, and I have concluded that the need had arisen for the voice of reasons not to relent in the genuine clamour to have an Ofu man to represent the the good people of idah federal constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly in 2019.
To me, the clamour was not just for clamouring sake, or just to fill in the gap, nor a wishful thinking, but about matters of natural law of equity, justice and fairness, which are parameters to measure developments in any human society.
Ofu people therefore need to key into the practice of Black roots science philosophy where old people are not kept in nursing home, but stayed at home to teach their grandchildren ways of life, truth, equity, justice, transparency and fair play.
It is therefore imperative to sound it loud and clear that politicians and technocrats, professionals and qualified truth sons and or daughters of ofu aspiring for positions in government must not accept any offer that is less than the seat reserved for this constituents in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
Should we remind ourselves that the general elections of 2019 will mark a turning point in the political history of kogi east and more especially, idah/igalamela/ofu and ibaji federal constituency, yes, it will and indeed, this is why we must all rise up in our areas of influence to champion this course, which unfortunately, some greedy lots are trying to sabotage.”
I am calling on every true sons and daughters of the land to take active interest in the politics of this area and ensure that they participate in the electoral process to enhance the advancement of our human capital development if we desire to be like other progressive constituent in the country.
The people of Ofu deserve the 2019 ticket, worthy of note is that in the wisdom of the architects of the creation of idah/igalamela/ofu and ibaji federal constituency, it was partitioned into four local government areas. It is on record that out of the four local Government, it is only ofu local government that has not been to the house of representatives of the Federal Republic since the return to democratic government in 1999.
This is where Justice, Equity and Fair Play should come in, if the zone wants to be stabilized politically without fear or favour. Interestingly, representation in the house of representatives had been Francis Ineke 2times from Ibaji, Hon. JJ Napoleon from Idah, Inah Husseini from Igalamela and currently Emmanuel Egwu from Idah.
It is only Ofu local government that it is yet to produce a house of representatives members for the idah/igalamela/ofu and ibaji federal constituency.
Therefore, to insist that the Ofu local government should be supported by the rest to have a shot at the throne should not be misconstrue as promoting zoning system.
On zoning, sometimes, zoning in its gamut do promotes mediocrity, but like Maureen Potter said that politicians are like nappy that should be changed often for the same reason is why as a proponent of participatory democracy, no argument will be sufficient enough to deny ofu as the next occupant of the idah/igalamela/ofu and ibaji Federal seat in 2019.
We the good people of Ofu are appealing to the Governor, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, His deputy, Rt. Hon. Simon Achuba, The Chief of staff to the Governor, Mr Edwards onoja, APC chairman and the party leader to give necessary support for the next House of representatives to come from ofu local Government.
Now, some cacophony of strange voices seem to be rising and to portray lack of unity of purpose in ofu land, such voices need to be nip in the bud so as to mitigate any damages to our collective aspiration as a people. Even though, such people are very few and can be categorised as paper weight, they still have the tendency to send a wrong signal to the public that we are not united in our resolve to produce the next House of representatives members in 2019, this is why such characters must be cut to size.
Notwithstanding, we are moving to defend the collective interest of Ofu, and there is no going back.
– Comrade Peter Nelson Ugbedeojo
