Agbo: A round peg in a round hole

By Oriri Onu Peter

A clear attribute of a people oriented representative, is his ability to put his manifesto into reality. For such a leader, it is not just about a promise to do things, but a covenant with those he represents.

It is heartwarming to notice the birth of such a representative in Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo.

Honourable Francis Agbo was never a strange name to the people of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency. Prior to his being elected as a member of the House of Representatives, the astute Journalist had sought a seat at the Benue State House of Assembly, but lost.

His defeat, however, did not mark the end of the road for him. Rather, it signified greater accomplishments awaiting him.

In recognition of his quintessential qualities, Hon. Agbo was appointed as Media Adviser to the former Minister of Information, late Prof. Dora Akunyili between 2008 and 2010. He also served as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor of Bayelsa state, The Honourable Seriake Dickson.

While still in Bayelsa state, Hon. Ottah took an objective view of the plight of members of his constituency in Benue State and came to the conclusion that they deserved better representation, and thereafter, offered himself for service.

In less than two months, this Youthful Representative has laid a sound footing for everyone to be proud of, and for his counterparts to emulate.

As promised during the campaigns, Hon. Ottah has announced that his salaries for the years he would be at the Green Chambers would be devoted to meeting the yearnings of widows, orphans and the downtrodden in his constituency.

Already, an 11-man committee has been constituted to work out the modalities for the effective channelling of these salaries.

According to the politician, none of his children is of adult age yet. As such, he has no burden of sending any of his children abroad for studies, and thus, does not need to amass humongous wealth.

Only recently, the Representative distributed high breed “Victim A” cassava stems to farmers in his triangular Constituency, in order to boost their agricultural productivity and hence, their income.

The Moving Train, as he is fondly called is not new to philanthropies. Before his election, the Politician had used his personal resources to finance the construction of the road linking the Ekile Ward in his Ado Local Government Area to the Federal Road, thereby linking the Council Area to Ebonyi state.

Indeed, it was in recognition of his intellectual sagacity that the Minority Caucus unanimously appointed him as their spokesperson. This appointment was without prejudice to the fact that he was only a first term Representative.

What more do constituents seek from their representatives: better representation, intellectualism and empowerment. All these Hon. Ottah has got, and is deploying for the common good of the Constituency.

As such, all that could be will be that constituents, irrespective of party affiliation, rally in his support.

In conclusion, Hon. Francis Ottah has come to redefine the beauty of politics through the delivery of democratic dividends to his Constituency, Idoma and Benue state at large.

As such, I solicit the support of all, for his policies in order to enable him deliver effective representation.