Abba Moro: The people’s delight at 61

On 3rd July, 1958 a political icon, a generational leader, a cerebral politician of high brain power, a pure democrat, a civil rights activist, Comrade Abba Moro, the senator representing Benue south was born.

Abba Moro a household name, the man that has a date with destiny. This birthday remain a historic one because just three weeks ago he assumed a new leadership responsibility as a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria representing Benue south senatorial district and the tear rubber political leader of Benue south.

Since 1999 Abba Moro has been on the political radar of Benue state with three main agenda: 1-Welfare of the people. 2-Welfare of the people. 3-Welfare of the people. These are his 3-point Agenda. In achieving this, he has already built a monument in the heart of the people with his strides and effort in improving the welfare of his people through empowerment and poverty reduction which has been his cardinal focus.

Abba Moro has always wield his political influence as missile against poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment and injustice. A stalwart of Benue south youth empowerment. A core unionist and a complete civil rights activist who is remembered as one of the most influential and inspirational leader from the Benue valley. He has dedicated his time in fighting social injustice which has endear him to the people. At the visit to any of his home you will see the portrait of the legendary human rights activist, Marthin Luther King Jnr, a man whose ultimate goal was to achieve social equality. For those who have visited his home will see this as a reminder to where he always draw his inspiration from. No wonder he has raised the bar in befriending the ordinary people and helping them to close the gap through the personal social security scheme he instituted from his private pocket.

During his speech on the auspicious occasion of his inauguration as senator for Benue south senatorial district. He told his people at the well attended occasion that: “I am committed to ensuring an egalitarian society where things will work for everybody irrespective of party affiliation.” Though he has since lived as a messenger for social equality from his unionism days which placed him as a well respected and recognized COMRADE, the title he cherished more than all the titles he has earned. He remain an exemplary leader worthy of emulation. He is loved and respected as a selfless leader who devoted his service to the well being of the ordinary people.

Since the inauguration of the 9th senate with the emergence of Sen (Dr) Ahmed Lawan as the Senate President, Abba Moro has shown a great sign that great things shall be attracted to Benue south. His progressive mindset has already aligned him with the senate president, Dr Ahmed Lawan who both of them share a common belief in hardwork, loyalty, integrity and a united Nigeria which is built on trust and competence.

Abba Moro remain a solid pillar of PDP in Benue state and has shown exceptional leadership in the past. When PDP was greatly troubled during the Makarfi vs Sheriff tussle and hopelessness starred at the party’s face he stood firm and provided what the party needed to move forward. He ensured he met all the PDP chairmanship and Councillorship candidates from Benue south then and supported them. Though their bid of becoming chairmen was stopped by the federal high court judgement. It is worthy of note that during the said time under review some party stalwarts left the party to join the ADP while others recoiled back in to their shell. But like the great leaders of the world, Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower and JF Kennedy who are remembered for quality leadership provided their various nations in the moment of crisis. Abba Moro was there to provide quality leadership for PDP in Benue south until the party eventually triumphed at the supreme court.

Abba Moro believes that true power in any democracy is in the hands of the masses and that is why he never take his people for granted. His style of politics is about the people and development. This gesture alone allowed him to set a new winning record in his election as senator. He made his election so easy for his supporters. He won in all the 9 local governments of Benue south. His election was one of the election party faithfuls found so easy as all the political parties united to give him victory which was obvious in the result from the elections. Where PDP won Abba Moro won, where APC won Abba Moro won and where the other parties won Abba Moro won too.
He always win every elections for PDP in Okpokwu LGA from 1999 till date and no other party has won election in Okpokwu. He remain the only PDP leader from Benue south with a 100% PDP status. He delivered his state constituency for PDP, his federal constituency for PDP and it is worthy of note that his federal constituency the old Okpokwu federal constituency is the only federal constituency PDP won from Benue south in the just concluded elections. Himself consigned all his senatorial opponents into political dustbin winning landslide in all the 9 local governments in an unprecedented feat.
His record victory was possible because of his unique style of aligning himself with the masses and the masses reciprocated with a massive votes across party lines. Both PDP, APC, APGA, Labour Party and SDP were unanimous in cementing his victory.

Abba Moro the peoples delight cuts the image of the salvation of Benue south. Did well in fending off the oppressors of Benue south without apologies. Though the elites are not happy with him because of his down to earth politics as he continue to befriend the ordinary citizens in an unprecedented manner.

As a senior legislative assistant he drafts and edits legislation including bills, rules and other items for then Sen. Amen Ebute, during the second republic.

As a young lecturer with Benue state polytechnic, Ugbokolo, all the students that encountered him will tell you a beautiful story of him. He was resourceful in passing quality knowledge across to his students and he does so effortlessly. He was the messiah for victimized students and his colleagues. He always stood for justice as a lecturer and always insist on the right thing to be done.

As Okpokwu LGA chairman for 6years Abba Moro constructed several clinics, bridges, market stalls, classrooms, graded roads, sunk borehole, paid salaries and allowances up-to-date till he finished his tenure. He constructed the only hall and guest house in Okpokwu LGA. During the recent electioneering campaign to the villages in Okpokwu virtually all villages he visited told him not to campaign that he touched their lives through projects he attracted to their areas while serving as chairman. Since he left the council the are yet to see a chairman like him who is so committed to uplifting them.

As the chairman of Benue state chapter of ALGON he supervised the construction of lecture halls in Benue state univeristy, Makurdi and Benue polytechnic, Ugbokolo. He remain the only Benue state ALGON chairman to emerge from Benue south in history.

As Pro Chancellor, Chairman, Governing Council Federal University of Agriculture, the only study center in Makurdi was constructed under his supervision. He was also Chairman governing council, pro chancellor Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

Federal government took over Civil Defence in 2003 under but it was during Abba Moro’s era as minister of interior that Benue sons and daughters especially Benue south senatorial youths got job en masse into Civil Defence. While in the ministry of interior he continued to be the floodgate for Idoma sons and daughters into other paramilitary under the ministry and several agencies outside his ministry.

Abba Moro is not an occasional politician who only shows up when elections are around the corner and i stand to be corrected as i state here that no politician has committed so much resources and time to befriending the ordinary citizen like him.
Sure a time will come and we shall look at the uncommon strides of this noble man and would have no choice than to declare 3rd July public holiday in honour of this highly revered leader of our time.

As we celebrate the birthday of this most people friendly and acceptable politician in the land, i would wish other politicians to learn from his selflessness and generosity of spirit.

Happy birthday to the:
Odejo k Ugbokolo
Imolimo K Ichama
Iklaga k Okpoga,
Idagbajiji of Iyala,
Ogigomebe K Idoma.

Ochigbo John a social researcher and a public commentator writes from Abuja.