REJOINDER: ALARM! BEFORE IT MAY REPEAT ITSELF Preamble: Our attention has been drawn to a libelous and malicious pamphlet written and circulated by some anonymous persons called the ‘Coalition of Zone ‘A’ and ‘B’ Youths in Politics’ with the intention to malign and demean the person of Hon. Amb. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga, member representing Oju I State Constituency and the good people of Zone ‘A’. Also, the action of this group is a calculated attempt to create discord in order to break the political and socio-cultural relationship that has long existed between the good people of Zones ‘A’ and ‘B’. With due respect, this so-called Coalition of Zone ‘A’ and ‘B’ Youths in Politics that have no address or known identity is surely a faceless sponsored group of political detractors who would do anything for money. Indeed, this is a plain hatchet job executed for a pay master(s) whose political ambition may be threatened by the laudable and unbeatable achievements of Hon. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga. Undoubtedly, members of this group have a skewed memory of the past political events in Oju 1 State Constituency and that reflects much in that botched job. Neither Hon. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga nor any other person benefited from this alien and unfounded theory of ‘one man, one tenure’ as propounded by the group. If they have balanced information then they ought to have known that prior to 2011 general elections there was no forum or fora where ‘one man, one tenure’ was discussed. Whatever happened in 2011 House of Assembly election in Oju 1 was an expression of the will of the electorates by balloting and not as a result of this theoretical expediency this group would want the general public to believe. Ordinarily, there is no need to react to this false alarm raised by people who are scared of losing elections. But for the records, we wish to factually provide appropriate and brief response to allay their perceived fears: 1. Is the queue no longer long? The queue had never been long before, even when we have three Zones of the entire Oju LG containing eleven wards to contest for it, how much more now that we have only two zones consisting of only six wards to contest for the seat. But, may we ask please: What do we stand to gain if at all the ‘one man, one tenure’ and ‘the long queue’ theories should be considered to the detriment of infrastructural and human development of the constituency? 2. If there is to be second tenure, should Dr. Adoga be the beneficiary? It is quite unfortunate that this group does not know what they actually intend to achieve. Is it Dr. Adoga they don’t want to see being re-elected or the entire people of Zone ‘A’ having a second turn? There are a thousand and one people as good as Hon. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga in Zone ‘A’ who can contest for Oju I State Constituency. If the prevailing zoning formula favours Zone ‘A’, it must not necessarily be Dr. Adoga Onah. It is not his birthright. But, what crime would the people of Zone ‘A’ commit if Hon. Dr. Adoga is given the nod for the second time perhaps premising on his laudable achievements? 3. What is zone B’s crime in politics that second tenure is prohibited for them? Zone ‘B’ has not committed any political crime and second tenure is not prohibited for them. The verdict lies with the electorates, the good people of Oju 1 State constituency. Moreover, Dr. Onah also hails from Ibilla in Zone ‘B’ and had resided in Ibilla for over twenty-three years (23) and as such has the constitutional right to contest election in Ibilla Council Ward if need be. 4. Is second tenure the birthright of Zone A? Remember that Zone ‘B’ enjoyed second tenure for House of Representatives in 1998 and 2003. We believe that the issue of second tenure primarily has to do with the elected political office holder’s stewardship and performance rather than whipping sentiments. 5. Is Dr. Adoga a true PDP or he has only run to hibernate in PDP because he cannot withstand the fight in his formal party from where he defected? Hon. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga is a true PDP man to the core. The dynamics of Nigeria politics as one can see nationwide allows for camp shifting when necessary. That is why it is called democracy. He returns to PDP because he is not prepared to play any form of opposition politics anymore because of the larger interest of the future of the Igede Nation. Dr. Onah’s return to PDP was overwhelmingly received by both the PDP leadership and members at the State, Ward and Oju LG levels. And he is already properly and comfortably re-integrated into the mega party. He is not desperate for elective posts as some persons would do. Neither is he afraid of any form of opposition party. We strongly believe some persons are only jittery because they feel his return to PDP is threatening their political aspirations. 6. What is his performance in the State Assembly that deserves special attention? Though as a fresher and an opposition member in the House he was faced with a lot of challenges ranging from Tribunal and court cases to denials of many juicy democracy dividends, however, he managed to standout among his peers to positively impact on his constituency and even on the floor of the House. How else do you expect the performance of a Legislator to warrant this ignorant question? Membership of House Committees: As a tradition, the State House of Assembly operates under various Standing Committees for efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, Hon. Dr. Onah Adoga was appointed into various Standing and Ad hoc Committees due to his vibrant and active participation in debates on the floor of the House. The Committees include: • Chairman, House Standing Committee on Public Petitions, Bills Review and Appraisals. • Member, House Standing Committee on Education. • Member, House Standing Committee on Women Affairs. • Member, House Standing Committee on Youths and Sports. • Chairman, House Ad hoc Committee on Flood Management in Benue State, 2013. • Member, Ad hoc Committee on Screening of present set of Commissioners in Benue State. Motions and Bills Sponsored: He has robustly sponsored and co-sponsored several motions and bills in the Benue State House of Assembly. Oversight Functions: He has led and or participated in several committee oversight functions to different government ministries, departments and LGAs. Human and Infrastructural Development: Hon. Amb. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga has carried out several humanitarian services and infrastructural projects in and outside Oju 1 State Constituency. With the help of resources from his hospital and numerous loans from commercial banks and local bams he was able to execute some projects in his constituency, some of which are: 1. Presentation of an Annual Scholarship to students in Primary, Post-primary and Tertiary institutions. 2. He embarked on a ‘Thank-You’ tour of all the six Council Wards in his constituency to show appreciation for their overwhelming support which lead to his victory in the 2011 election. This action is the first of its kind in Igede. 3. Annual constituency Briefings. 4. Periodic free medical programs organized for the entire Oju and Obi Local Government Areas. 5. He is using his NGO (Egbede Youths Foundation) and in collaboration with other international NGOs to help curb child and human trafficking and prostitution in Igedeland and assist widows, orphans, less privileged and HIV/Aids patients. 6. Construction of two motorized bore-holes, one situated along the General Hospital Road and another at Methodist Church Nigeria, Ikachi-Ukpa, all in Oju Local Government Area. 7. Sinking of eight other hand pump bore-holes scattered all over the wards. 8. Reconstruction of box culvert at Ubwo stream in Ochodu-Ukpa. 9. Construction of box culvert at Odugbo stream in Ohuhu- Owo. 10. Construction of box culvert at Ogbeche stream in Ameka- Owo. 11. Construction of box culvert at Ukpila oligwu stream in Ameka-Owo. 12. Construction of Awowo box culvert at Amumu Road in Otunche, Iyeche Council Ward. 13. Grading of Ojegbe-Otunche-Ohuhu-Ameka road. 14. Grading of Ibilla-Illache-Adum-Owo road 15. Donation and instillation of a 500KVA transformer to Ihiejwo Market Community. 16. Donation of a modern giant canoe for use by Oripwa and Oye communities across Onwu River in Oboru-Oye Council Ward 17. Donations of generating sets, church musical instruments, renovation of churches and schools. 18. Donations of modern school drums to pupils of LGEA Primary School Ameka-Owo. 19. Donation of twenty-five (25) plastic chairs to Igede National Youth Council (INYC). 20. Payment of office/centre rent for the Igede National Youth Council (INYC). 21. Donation of fifty (50) plastic chairs to National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oju LG Chapter. 22. Donation of relief materials to Obi Local Government during the 2013 communal crisis between Ojanteli and Obi communities. 23. Grading of 27 roads and streets within Oju Local Government metropolis. 24. Facilitate the employment of several Igede Sons and Daughters into Civil Service of Benue State and Federal Civil Service. 7. Must we continue in politics of personal aggrandizement? For anyone to say or think that Hon. Dr. Onah Adoga has amassed wealth for himself and the family is quite unfortunate and wicked. He has practically demonstrated selfless leadership qualities by making sure he satisfies others before himself. His projects are mainly people-oriented rather than concentrating in oiling the pockets of individuals. Moreover, he is known for humility despite his intimidating CV. 8. Must we be second time legislator before becoming deputy speaker even when a one- time legislator is a speaker? Was Ibu Okwe a two- time legislator, likewise Edor Ogbole? Dr. Onah has been preaching on the advantages of second tenure for deserving Legislators. This is because, more often than not, only ranked members enjoy juicy positions in the House. He, however, stressed that re-election of any political office holder should be based on performance indices rather than sentiments. Therefore, any Igede son who deserves a second tenure should be given so that performance is encouraged. 9. What is the positive effect of the deputy speaker in the polity of Igede nation that may deserve that excessive, huge and damaging sacrifice? The Deputy Speaker is the number 4 citizen of the state. He is therefore, accessible to uncountable number of political, economic and social benefits which he can harnessed for the benefit of his constituency. However, this depends on his understanding of the power of his office. The Deputy Speaker’s office is therefore very useful to the Igede man. This is not to say that Dr. Onah is eyeing the post, but provided an Igede son or daughter clinches this position come 2015. 10. Will it not be too funny and amounting to personal devalues of image and reputation to subscribe to such project? The sponsor of that write up is advised to use those who are well read to drive their messages. Hiring a bundle of illiterates who mislead the public with fallacies and garbage English at this 21st century is rather shameful. 11. Are we not aware that performance, effective representation, moral standard and value are no longer there to sing laud second tenure and people are aware? Please go back to our response number six, where the activities of Hon. Dr. AMB. ONAH ADOGA on the floor of the house, oversight functions, humanitarian and constituency stewardship were explicitly outlined and you will pity your level of ignorance. 12. Will Iyeche Council Ward subscribe to waiting for twelve years before having their turn? Dr. Onah is a bona fide son of Iyeche Council Ward too. He has also delivered dividends of democracy to Iyeche in many ways. He is going to do more. Moreover, there are other elective posts than the House of Assembly and we believe Iyeche Ward is blessed with abundant and competent human resources to serve in those posts at the appropriate time. After all, power belongs to God and the ballot decision lies solely with the electorates. Conclusion: Clarion Call from Hon. Dr. Onah Joseph Adoga Let it be known that Hon. Dr. Adoga Onah has not yet declared to re-contest the House of Assembly seat even though he is qualified to vie. He is presently consulting with his constituents in Zones ‘A’ and ‘B’ which shows that he is a true democrat. He will respect and subscribe to the opinion and counsel of his people. There is no need for any aspiring contestant to develop hypertension. A general is never afraid of war. Therefore, nobody should attempt to intimidate others with the use of opposition platforms. We pray that the future of the Igede Nation is not derailed by selfish, uneducated, greedy and narrow-minded politicians who want to rule at all cost. It is better to tell the voters who you were, who you are and what you can do for them through a manifesto rather than employing the ‘pull-down’ tactics. Igede people are now well informed. They will vote for the candidate of their choice irrespective of sentiments, clannish or party affiliation. Let us eschew politics of bitterness and calumny. Dr. Onah will never be numbered amongst those that choose to assassinate people’s character to win any political office. Finally, let us all join hands together to build a virile, ever stronger and greater Igede Nation by creating an enabling political environment. We call on all men of goodwill to ignore that ill-sponsored publication in the interest of the development of Igede Nation and Benue State. Thank you. Long Live Oju 1 State Constituency Long Live Igede Nation Circulated by the Media Crew of Hon. Amb. Dr. Onah J. Adoga, BNHA Oju 1 State Constituency
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 23:47:22 +0000
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