Arewa chairmanship: Why the attacks on Chief Audu Ogbe? By Adakole Elijah

As a pupil in an infant class ( what is known today as a pre- nusery class) in the early 70s at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Mission, Otada – Otukpo, we were thought the ten commandments of God by a no nonsense teacher called Mr Onyilokwu Ekwu. Though now deceased, Mr. Ekwu was both dreaded and loved by us.

Of all the commandments, Ekwu admonishes us not kill no matter the situation. According to him, killing does not necessary mean that you must pull the sword, trigger or machete. If you denigrate your brother or bear false wittnesses against him, you have killed him. He also told us to love, honour and respect our fathers and mothers greatly.

I am sure that if Mr. Ekwu had the opportunity of living up to this Social Media era, he will cry his eyes out.

This is because, his Idoma “children” have found a veritable vocation – social media – in demonizing their own. And it has become part of their culture to debase, denigrate deliberately, mischievously and disparagingly Idoma leaders and political gladiators and subjecting them to public oddions, hates, ridicules and opprobrium.

Few months ago, some Idoma lads and lasses went into ululations mischievously celebrating the non inclusion of Chief Audu Ogbe as a member of the Federal Executive Council. I reminded them in one of my posts then via an Idoma proverbs that, “if you don’t want your brother to be a King, you will not have the privilege of being a King’s brother”.

Fortunately, when Senator George Akume was appointed, these same crops of Idoma applauded the appointment in such a manner that one would be tempted to ask, “what is the sin of Chief Audu Ogbe in the eyes of his people?”

Though, out of office, Audu Ogbe as a private man proceeded to impact positively on the society by procuring and distributing free of charge some empowerment materials for his Idoma People. To this end, Transformers were given to some Communities while items such as generators, grinding machines, sewing machines, Deep freezers etc were giving to the people to better their lots. This was the first time that an appointee or an exappointee of government would be doing this in the entire Idoma enclave. This gestures has always been a prerogative of the elected public Officers.

Just this morning I woke up to see series of thantrumous posts targeted at Chief Audu Ogbe over his appointment as the Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum. A curious observations on the identities of these attackers shows they were all of the Idoma extraction.

The irony of it all was that, when this eloquent Idoma leader failed to get his position back, it was ululated. Now, he has been elected Chairman, ACF, the ululators are angry. This is what a friend of mine called a daylight “witchcraftism”. My Otukpo People called it ” imalanyi anuwoheea”.

Are these self appointed critics aware that Chief Audu Ogbe as a Nigerian has the Constitutional right to freedom of Associations? Are they also aware that his membership of any association can lead him to the headship of that body? May be, those insulting him are not aware. And if that is the case, then ignorance is at play here.

But this ignorance has delt us a devastating blow in the past. First, the Idoma as a tribe cannot pretend not to be in the northern part of the country. And therefore must participate in all the activities of the north. If you don’t, you will be left out.

Maybe, these People are still oblivious of the fact that Benue State still maintain some joint assets with her other northern brothers.

I have not heard anyone attacking the Benue State Governor for attending the Northern Governors Forum. Or the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) attending meetings and atimes chairing the forum of Northern Nigerian SSGs.

Ditto to Paul Unongo, late Senator JKN Waku who held sway at various times as leaders of ACF. Rather, they were applauded.

Politically, our reluctant romance with the northern oligarchy have done the people of Benue State more harms than good. And so, we must strive to entrench ourselves into them. Audu Ogbe therefore, has done no wrong to warrant this needless and unfounded attack from his people. Rather, the Idoma People should endeavour to set for him an agenda based on their Hope and aspirations. And this is the first time that an Idoma man is clinching this position. We must be happy with this honour. We must appreciate God for this elevation. And we must support him to succeed. For his success is our success.

Congratulations, Chief Audu Ogbe.