2027: Enone needs results, not wrappers, I can offer our people better representation — Aida Nath Ogwuche

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Barrister Aida Nath Ogwuche, has vowed to prioritise education, agriculture, healthcare, youth development and women’s empowerment if elected into the House of Representatives.

Speaking during an interview on The Conversation on Idoma TV, Ogwuche said her decision to seek the mandate of the people of Enone for a second time was driven by a passion for service, inclusivity and the desire to give a voice to women, youths and other vulnerable groups in society.

The lawyer and politician, who contested the seat in 2023, maintained that she remained committed to the development of the constituency despite her defeat in the last election, insisting that her continued engagement with communities and intervention projects demonstrated her dedication to public service beyond politics.

Ogwuche also took a swipe at the current representation of the constituency, arguing that many of the pressing needs of the people, particularly in education and infrastructure, had not received the attention they deserved. She pledged to focus on practical solutions that directly impact the lives of constituents.

On women participation in politics, the PDP candidate lamented what she described as cultural and structural barriers confronting female politicians, stressing that women possess the capacity to lead effectively and should be given equal opportunities to contribute to governance and national development.

Excerpts:

You contested for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency seat in 2023 but lost. What lessons did that experience teach you politically and personally? 

One of the lessons I learned was not to be overly emotional. Given that it was my first time participating in a contest of that scale, the experience was a roller coaster. I had mixed feelings and emotions to deal with, and I also found it challenging to manage my time effectively. There were significant time constraints, and I had to juggle campaign activities, consultations, and court proceedings.

If I were to find myself in the same situation again, which I believe I would handle much better now, I would manage my time more effectively, balancing my presence at campaign grounds, consultations, and court processes. That was the major challenge I had to deal with.

After 2023, many people expected you to step back and sit this one out. Yet here you are again, not just aspiring, but carrying the PDP flag in the 2027 House of Representatives race. What motivated your decision to run again?

My motivation is solely service to humanity. For me, this is a calling. It is not something I am doing simply because I enjoy politics. It is a deep desire that is neither superficial nor fleeting. It comes from within me, and if I do not respond to it, I have no peace.

In all honesty, I find it difficult to conform to the realities of politics because it is not something I am naturally accustomed to. As we all know, the political terrain often demands that people become what they ordinarily are not. That is not who I want to be. However, I must do what I have to do because this calling gives me no choice.

I know that the people need someone to be their voice. The girl child needs a voice. That is why I am doing this, for the girl child, for inclusivity, and for women to have their fair share in politics. I am also doing this for the elderly women, mothers, and sisters who have no voice, so that they can have someone who will speak for them, fight for them, and take their concerns and aspirations to those in authority who can address them. 

This is why I am doing what I am doing. It is truly about service to humanity.

That’s good to know. Now that you’re flying the PDP flag again for 2027, why do you believe this is the right time for the people of Enone to trust you with this mandate?

I believe people can see for themselves that many individuals go down this path, fail to achieve what they set out to do, and become discouraged. But I have remained committed. I have continued to serve and be present for the people of Enone. Time and again, I have tried to meet needs where I could.

Even after losing the last election, I remained active. In fact, immediately after the election, I embarked on a lighting project. Not many people would do that. It is not something I boast about, but it came from a genuine place, a place of service to humanity.

If people can see these things, then they will understand that I am someone they can trust with their mandate. They can look at my words and actions and know that my commitment is not solely about political gains.

Looking back at the 2023 general election, do you believe the result reflected the will of the people of Enone?

If you ask me today, I would say absolutely not. I entered politics with a very pure heart and a certain level of naivety. I believed things worked exactly as they appeared on the surface. However, I later realised that there are many things that happen behind the scenes, many factors that are not immediately visible.

What happened was one of those experiences. But we learn every day, and every experience teaches us something valuable.

All right. Let’s talk about the current representation. Hon. Philip Agbese has been highly visible both nationally and within the leadership of the House of Representatives. Why should voters replace him with you instead?

That’s an interesting point. You mentioned that he has been very visible nationally.

Yes. I probably missed that because I haven’t noticed it. I really haven’t, except perhaps for the wrong reasons. I don’t know that he has been very visible nationally. The only instance I can recall was the Binance issue. That was the first time I heard his name making the rounds on national television.

Not just that. There was also a time he moved a motion against the Japa syndrome in Nigeria, advocating that young people should stay back and help build the economy instead of leaving the country. He also sponsored bills for the establishment of a school in Delta State and a College of Agriculture somewhere in Apa in Ado LGA of Benue State.

If you ask me, those are good bills. But to what end? How many of those bills have received presidential assent?

It is not enough to stand up and sponsor bills that ultimately make no headway. The goal is to achieve results. The current representative is clearly not in touch with the realities facing the people. That is why he pursues what I would describe as elephant projects that are unlikely to gain traction because they do not align with the pressing concerns of the constituency.

So, I respectfully disagree with the notion that he has been visible in a meaningful legislative sense. To me, that is not effective legislation. I can do better. I understand what legislation is about. I have the capacity to sponsor bills, guide them through the legislative process, and see them through to a logical conclusion, including securing presidential assent where necessary.

I would sponsor bills that reflect the concerns, needs, and aspirations of the people. I would not simply raise issues that have little or no connection to the realities my constituents face. This, to me, is neither visibility nor effective representation.

What specific areas do you believe Hon. Philip Agbese has failed the people of Enone?

Specific areas? I would say virtually all areas. Yes. He has not even delivered up to 40 percent of the projects he inserted into the national budget, even as we speak.

I will not go through them one by one, but there is one issue that particularly concerns and embarrasses me. I find it difficult to understand how, in this day and age, a member of the House of Representatives would insert into the national budget a project aimed at empowering women with wrappers.

For goodness’ sake, there are far more pressing issues in our constituency. We have dilapidated and unfinished schools without roofs or conducive learning environments. We have classrooms without chairs and desks. I receive videos regularly from different local governments and communities showing students sitting on bare floors to take lessons. When it rains, water pours into the classrooms, disrupting learning. Many schools lack windows and other basic facilities.

Yet someone believes that distributing wrappers is a priority empowerment programme. I find that deeply disappointing.

Meanwhile, his colleagues across the country are executing projects that directly address the needs of their constituents. Any representative worth the name should first understand the most urgent needs of the people before proposing projects for the budget.

The one project I thought could have made a meaningful impact was the Okpoga football stadium he inserted into the budget. That could have been a worthwhile initiative because it would have benefited our talented and energetic young people across Enone. It would have given them opportunities and addressed a genuine need within the constituency.

You know, it would have been a good project, but where is it now? It has been completely abandoned. Only God knows whether the money is still there and available for the people. I honestly do not know.

So tell me, what exactly has he done to justify giving him another chance? What would he come back to do? Empower people with wrappers again? Perhaps slippers next time? Or something else entirely? Please.

But seeing all of this, and given your belief that the people of Enone are not being adequately represented, can you tell us, in practical terms, your top five priorities for the people of Enone if elected to the House of Representatives in 2027?

That’s actually one of my favourite questions because the answer comes very easily to me.

Anyone who knows me knows that my biggest passion is education. I strongly believe that when you educate a child, you educate a nation.

My first priority would be education. I would build on what others have already done rather than reinventing the wheel. Representation is not just about constructing new classrooms for the sake of visibility. It is about identifying genuine needs and addressing them.

I would conduct a comprehensive assessment of every school across the three local government areas of Enone and ensure that every school that should be standing is properly built and functional. The truth is that it does not cost a fortune to put these schools in good condition. That is why it pains me so much when I see schools without roofs, windows, desks, or chairs, while budget provisions are being made for distributing wrappers.

Wrappers are gifts you can buy for your mother during Christmas or festive celebrations. They should not be priorities in a national budget when our children are learning under such terrible conditions.

My first assignment as a member of the House of Representatives would be to ensure that every child in Enone has access to a conducive learning environment, complete with proper classrooms, roofs, windows, desks, and chairs, just like children in any progressive society deserve.

I am committed to delivering on this within my first 100 days in office. This is not political rhetoric. These are promises I fully intend to keep.

But I would not stop there. Infrastructure alone is not enough. I would work closely with the state government to ensure that qualified teachers are deployed to these schools and that they are properly paid. I know there are schools where students attend classes without teachers. I would ensure that the entire educational system functions effectively from start to finish, with proper coordination between government, school administrators, and teaching staff.

That is my number one priority.

My second priority would be agriculture. We all know that Enone is blessed with fertile land and that our people are naturally hardworking farmers. There is a reason Benue is known as the Food Basket of the Nation.

I want our farmers to move beyond subsistence farming and begin operating on a larger, commercial scale. With proper support, access to resources, and modern farming methods, they can significantly increase production, improve their incomes, and contribute more meaningfully to the state’s economy.

I would also focus on agricultural processing because production alone is not enough. Value addition through processing creates jobs, increases profits, and strengthens the local economy. It would be a win-win situation for both the farmers and the government.

My third priority would be healthcare. As the saying goes, a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. I have very detailed plans for improving healthcare services, but I will reserve some of those specifics for now.

My fourth priority would be youth development. Our young people possess enormous talent and potential. They need opportunities, skills, mentorship, and support structures that will help them become productive contributors to society.

My fifth priority would be women empowerment and development. Empowerment should go beyond distributing items. It should involve creating opportunities, supporting entrepreneurship, improving access to education and training, and ensuring that women are equipped to become financially independent and active participants in the development of our communities.

These would be my top priorities because they directly address the fundamental needs of the people and provide a foundation for sustainable development across Enone.

I’m talking about artificial intelligence, robotics, digitisation, and other emerging technologies. The world has become a global village, and with Aida-Nath Ogwuhce, Enone can never be left behind. You can take that to the bank.

And finally, infrastructure.

I would ensure that every sector in Enone experiences rapid infrastructural development. As you all know, this is something I am deeply passionate about because I care greatly about the aesthetics of my environment, the development of my community, and every aspect of infrastructure that contributes to improving the quality of life of our people.

Everyone who knows me understands that this is something I have consistently advocated for and worked towards. So, when we talk about education, agriculture, healthcare, youth and women development, empowerment, and infrastructure, I believe that if these areas are properly addressed, Enone will not only become great again, it will be transformed.

 I’d like to ask another interesting question. You are one of the few women contesting major political positions in Benue State. As a woman, what challenges have you faced in politics?

Being a woman in politics comes with many challenges, some visible and others deeply rooted.

One of the major challenges I have faced is unfair treatment, name-calling, attempts to undermine my credibility, and deliberate efforts to malign my character.

I experienced this extensively during the last election. People said all sorts of things about me. I would wake up in the morning and hear a new rumour, and I would find myself wondering, “Are they really talking about me? Where is all this coming from?”

I was labelled this person’s girlfriend, another person’s mistress, and accused of all manner of things that were completely untrue. Some people even fabricated stories that I had children for different individuals. Honestly, it felt like watching a movie unfold.

Every day seemed to bring a fresh allegation, and I often found myself asking whether they were truly talking about me or confusing me with someone else.

However, I have come to understand that public service comes with scrutiny. Once you put yourself out there, people will have opinions, and some will go to great lengths to discredit you, especially when you are competing against individuals who feel threatened by your character, competence, or presence.

Rather than engage with you on issues, they resort to making up stories and spreading falsehoods simply because they cannot confront who you are or what you represent.

At this point, those things no longer bother me. I have overcome them. I understand the nature of the terrain now, and I am fully prepared for the challenges that come with it.

I understand the challenges women face in Nigerian politics. But beyond that, do you believe Benue politics gives women a fair chance?

Absolutely not. I do not believe Benue politics gives women a fair chance. In fact, I think this challenge extends beyond Benue and Nigeria to many parts of Africa.

A lot of it stems from our cultural architecture, where the girl child is often raised to see herself as second to the male child. From an early age, many girls are not encouraged to participate in leadership, even within the family setting.

I do not agree with that mindset at all because I know that women are just as capable of leading as men, if not more so in certain circumstances. Women often approach issues from a place of empathy, and that perspective can be a tremendous asset in leadership and decision-making.

That is why people often say that what a man can do, a woman can do even better.

Earlier, you said you believe women can do whatever men can do, and sometimes even better. But I’m sure many people are curious to know more about the real Barrister Aida Nath Ogwuche. Aside from being a lawyer, what else do you do?

Well, I do quite a lot. I am a very hardworking person. It may interest you to know that I build and sell houses. I develop properties, particularly prime properties in prime locations, and then put them back on the market for sale.

That is one of the things that keeps me very busy and constantly on the move.

Now, having said that, there are many young women and girls across Benue State and Enone who look up to you as a role model. What message do you have for them?

To every young girl who looks up to me, I want you to know that your dreams are valid and your voice matters.

Pursue your dreams regardless of your background, circumstances, or the challenges you may face along the way. Believe in yourself and never allow anyone to convince you that you cannot succeed.

If I can do it, then you can do it too.

Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot occupy spaces that are traditionally dominated by men. What a man can do, you can do as well—and sometimes even better.

So get up, put yourself together, and go after your dreams. If you remain hopeful, work hard, and believe in yourself, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Go for it, my darlings.

Before we draw the curtain on this conversation, the campaign season is approaching and the political atmosphere is bound to become more intense. You will have supporters campaigning for you, just as your opponents will have theirs.

What advice do you have for your supporters, your opponents, and their supporters as we approach the elections? I think that is a very important question.

My advice to everyone seeking public office is simple: let your campaigns be issue-based.

Tell the people why you are qualified to represent them. Explain your vision, your plans, and what you intend to achieve. Focus on the issues that matter to the people.

What we should not do is spend our time attacking other candidates. In my view, that is very unproductive. It often says more about the person making the attacks than the person being attacked.

As for supporters, I encourage them to channel their energy positively. Support your preferred candidate, explain why you believe in them, and help others understand why you think they deserve support.

Elections are not wars. They are opportunities for citizens to choose who they believe can best represent their interests.

There is no need for insults, hostility, or personal attacks. Political seasons come and go, but our relationships, communities, and shared future remain.

At the end of the day, we are all members of the same society, and regardless of the outcome of any election, we must continue to live and work together in peace.