The proponents of weak political misinformation and propaganda are of the opinion that old philanthropic gestures do not offer comfortable affordances in politics and do not have fertile effects on the current dispensation. They therefore conclude that philanthropy and commitment to the cause of humanity have no sane political correlation, and cannot be used to measure good governance or attain political victory. Empirical studies reveal that the result of an innate ability of a man who is deeply committed to the cause of progressive humanity hardly goes recessive, and if borne out of pensive desire, it hardly submerges.
In 1987, the late Prince Abubakar Audu (of the blessed memory), the then Commissioner of Finance, Benue State influenced the construction of Ejule-Alloma-Otukpa Road. Audu then, unlike many other Igala sons and daughters in positions of authorities and in government in his time, used his smallest opportunity to make life meaningful for his people.
It was on this singular antecedent and good legacy that the then Attah of Igala, Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Obaje called on Audu in 1991 when Kogi State was created to lead the young state to managerial and infrastructural success. You and I know that Audu never disappointed on the mandate given to him them to rule the state, and till death, Audu continued to move the state from story to glory. The similar history is playing itself in Echocho.
Based on personal sentiment and interest, the proponents of weak political propaganda, mostly of Igala origin, have been denying the prominent place of antecedent and good, old legacies in the political life and success story of a politician, and particularly, of Echocho. They believe that the only thing that offers Echocho the power to succeed is his ability to speak good English, and big one too.
I want to state here without sham that the most deceptive politician that ever lives is the one that uses words eloquently cheerfully to impress. Political demagogues are the worst tribe of politicians that ever people the political landscape. This means that politicians who talk too much in politics achieve nothing.
If talking so loud in politics were the greatest achievement, Fayose of Ekiti State would have been given the award of the best performing Governor, and Ambode of Lagos State would have been adjudged the worst for not making noise at all on the political space. Similarly, if speaking English and using high sounding words were the best form of representation, Hon Patrick Obahiagbon would have been crowned the best legislator of this century.
The only fortune that sells a candidate is the candidate’s innate ability to create history. Whoever is good will always be good no matter the furnace of circumstance surrounding him, and whoever is not good, no matter the level of prodding and chivvying will never be good. It is not possible to pluck a mango fruit from an orange tree. The good and the established Echocho in private life will always replicate himself and much more in public life. It is inborn; there is no pretence.
Of all the candidates vying for a position in the Red Chamber (The Nigerian Senate) in 2019, Echocho, like an iroko among the shrubs, stands tall and bold. His greatest selling point is his people-oriented legacies. Representation in the National Assembly means a seamless connection with the constituency and the constituents at the grassroots. Achieving the connective feat by a lawmaker and representative will not come as a tea-party for the current crops of afternoon aspirants that are severed and totally sequestered from the grassroots movements.
Echocho, a home-grown politician who lives with the people daily knows which area of the people’s life need federal structures. Apart from the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, you and I know that Igala land has no federal infrastructure, and no attempt had, and has been made by any lawmaker to attract any beautiful, federal infrastructure to Igala land. Echocho, who was in Lagos and saw the need to beautify lives and society will, from Abuja equally beautify Igala land with commendable federal infrastructure.
Know it today that Echocho will first serve as a Senator.This assignment will groom him to face the greater task ahead of him in the future. His becoming a Senator will not invalidate the possibility of his becoming a governor in no distant time. Just like Senator Ajimobi of Oyo State and Ali-Modu Sherif of Borno State, Echocho will surely rise to the highest position in the state in few years to come.
It will not speak good of your patriotic zeal if you are of Igala origin and are not supporting this divine mandate; Echocho is the only Igala man with the best credentials to lead Kogi East to senatorial success because his legacies cannot be eroded by any forceful and debilitating brickbat.
– Odih Daniel N.,
Odih4sure@gmail.com
