There has been, of late, posts requesting appraisals on the acceptance of either of the two candidates – Jibrin Isah Echocho and Victor Adoji – who are likely vying for the position of Kogi East Senator.
I shall lend my voice as long as I know Jibrin Isah Echocho, and I can say a few things about him. As to Victor, I do not know the said Victor Adoji. If it is another Victor Adoji from elsewhere, I apologize, but if it is the one that works with Zenith bank and comes from Okula/Alloma, then, I can say a few things about him too. My standpoint is to school you on the two candidates; it is intended to apprise those who might not know the two candidates very well. We have suffered political backwardness at the senatorial level in Kogi East. The trend of ill-luck just have to stop.
Victor to me will not make a better candidate we need for the position of a Senator in Kogi East. You will recall that Kogi East has had ghostly, non-functional Senators, and between 2015-2017, it has had about four Senators in a row. We do not need a repeat of the same ugly scenario. Aside the fact that the unstable nature of our senators due to legal battle makes us laughing stocks before the world, we are dragged backward in terms social, economic and political development by the endless battle of Igala against Igala. We need a credible candidate with sterling background, not of flatulentwealth, but of social and human development to occupy the position. Both Victor and Echocho are and were bankers, and their human and capital development achievements while each works and worked with his respective bank are of paramount importance here.
Echocho was philanthropic when he used to have the money to help those in need. Aside helping the needy and the poor to get food and other means of livelihood, Echocho also linked a sizeable number of people, mostly of, but not limited to Dekina Local Government to opportunities, and were employed by his bank and other banks. The same news was not heard of Victor as far as I know. That is, there is no hard and or soft record that Victor influenced or employed anyone anywhere. Those, especially from Okula/Alloma who dispute with this assertion, and have evidence to prove that Victor is functional in terms of employment generation and social development can upload their letters of appointment and records of achievement for us to see.
Echocho developed his community by building a world class secondary school, even though it is religious based that draws men and women from all walks of life to seek education for the children of theirs at Ajiyolo-Ojaji. Aside that, he built a primary school across his Isah Memorial Islamic Secondary School for the children of the poor in the community, and from what I heard back then in 2010, it was free. On the contrary, the only Roman Catholic Primary (RCM) Primary School in Victor’s father’s community at Okula/Alloma is till today dilapidated and decrepit. Victor did not repair the school even though he floats his wealth before the world. He does not need a position in government to help his community to rebuild the school and equip it. Since he did not do that before now, he is to me, and to many rational people of sane and sound judgment, not fit for a public office. He will treat Igala land as if the land had no Senator. What we suffered under Aidoko will be a child’s play. We already have Attai Aidoko. It is because Aidoko’s representation does not sweeten us that we are shopping for a replacement. It must be someone of sterling background, grown with the intent to develop the land; we do not want some kind of imported politician who wants to use our treasury for personal aggrandizement. If Victor is to be chosen, then, there is no need to replace Aidoko. Victor and Aidoko are one and the same, if Aidoko is not even better. Aidoko promised us some bags of rice back then even though he did not deliver them. Victor will neither promise you anything nor deliver anything to you.
Echocho constructed the road, even though it is more of a Trunk C one that passes to and in front of his school. On the contrary, the road that leads to Okula from Alloma and the one that leads to Okula from Alobi are not only impassable but are also something very ugly and offensive. One of his family members is in government currently, what does the community benefit from him? Victor will not help Igala land even if he attains the best of positions ever.Victor hates to see younger ones, especially from his community grow. If Victor ascends the throne, believe you me, nobody will see him or will have the guts to ask him a question; he will not be accessible. How many times did he come to Okula, and how many Okula boys can raise their hands on Facebook here to testify that Victor employed or facilitated their employment? How many of them ever benefitted in any form from Victor? If a tiny community derives no benefit from Victor, what does the entire constituency have to benefit? What then is Victor’s candidacy used for? We do not build houses on emptiness. Before you support Victor, what are your rational reasons? What were and are his achievements towards human and social development? Reject Aidoko; reject Victor too.
Victor wants people to worship at his feet perpetually, and it is on record how he was bitterly downcast when one of the Okula sons who gained admission to study in UK became Victor’s sworn enemy – Victor simply hated him just because the guy wanted to grow. Victor wants to be the only one to shine. No one else.
In terms of political proximity, Victor’s candidacy should have benefitted me more, knowing fully well that I am from Alloma, and Victor is from Okula – two neighbouring communities. I do not play politics of clannishness and friendliness. It is Kogi East we are talking about here, not Ofu agenda, not Igala-Ogba District agenda. Victor’s candidacy is an invitation to disaster. Rue anyone who advertises Victor to you. He or she has been paid to do so. I am talking from an informed source.
Of the two candidates – Victor and Echocho – each likely seeking support to become a Senator, Echocho is better. Many Igala people hate Echocho for aligning his political pursuit with Bello’s. Forget the fact that Echocho is in Bello’s camp. Echocho needs support and Bello is willing to offer the hand of support. Remember, Bellonever benefitted anything from Echocho, and was never part of those that ruined Echocho or impoverished him. Igala people were, and they left him in the lurch. Echocho does not have the money to pay anyone or to contest any position. He needs some support. Igala people depleted him. They collected his money; they made him poor, yet they want him tosit down and watch them in poverty. Echocho has nothing other than your sympathy (understanding and common feeling) and your support. A man must get into power using a political vehicle. Look for the services he can render and the benefits derivable from him in the long run; do not look at the family he is attached to at the moment. There is a method in his madness.
– Odih Daniel N.,
Lord Lugard Road, Lokoja.
Twitter: @Odih4sure
