One major problem that had hitherto remained an albatross to the good people of Idah Federal Constituency at the National Level is the lack of good and quality representation. Since the inception of the present political dispensation in 1999, we have had three (3) Local Governments (Ibaji, Igalamela and Idah) produced members that represented us at that level. The current member, Emmanuel Egwu who is also the PDP flag bearer from Idah Local Government who is forcefully imposed without party primaries just like his predecessors has being a disaster to the good people of Idah Federal Constituency.
Despite having people represented us at the Lower Chambers of the National Assembly, the people of the constituency can not boast of any Federal Project either as constituency project like others are doing for their people or sponsoring a bill with human face to assuage the plight of their constituents. Today, the only Federal Road that connects the entire Igala people to Idah Community, their ancestral home is on the verge of being cut off by gully erosion, nobody to raise it at the National Assembly, yet, we have somebody representing us.
It is on record that Akpagidigbo bridge has been a death trap for a long time due to it narrowness, with some many death recorded as a result, the same place I lost my beloved elder brother, but, non of our representatives cares about it, until recently when the Governor of the state came to our rescue despite being a Federal Road to expand that bridge.
It may interest us to note that we have another opportunity to rewrite the history of our Constituency for good as the 2019 general elections beckons. Today, we have Hon. David Zachariah, a known philanthropist and humanitarian, vying to represent the good people of Idah Federal Constituency on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) who’s humanitarian activities has affected positively the lives of ordinary people through his Foundation. Not yet in position of authority, he has been able to make positive impact in his polity. Hence, the reason for the clarion call by the people of his constituency to indicate interest for the position of Federal House of Representative as they showed overwhelmingly their supports for him during his victory at the party primaries.
In view of the above, it is pertinent for us to make the right choice for our people. Apart from coming from the only Local Government yet to produce a member of Federal House of Representatives for equity and justice sake, Hon. David Zachariah is the best man for the job putting his antecedents into consideration.
He has done it as a private individual, he will do much more if given the opportunity to represent us at the National level.
Now, we have the knife and the yam in our hands, let us use our sense of judgement wisely.
May God continue to bless the good people of Idah, Igalamela, Ofu and Ibaji Federal Constituency, Igala nation, Kogi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
– Yahaya Wada writes from Abuja
