Benue South 2023: Emerging political gladiators to watch

CHIEF PHILLIP AGBESE
The ‘Okanga’ has sounded! The sound has been heard throughout Enone. A political statement has been made. The message is clear. The man of the people is coming to serve the people of Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo.
Chief Phillip Agbese is a media practitioner, public affairs commentator, a philanthropist and technocrat. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Middlesex University London.
Okanga as he is fondly called, have the exposure, experience, and the overwhelming support of the people to represent Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency come 2023.

OCHE GODWIN JOSEPH (G12)
The name G12 is a tidal wave more powerful than a tsunami. The wave have moving with impregnable force across the nooks and crannies of Otukpo/Ohimini.
Joseph Oche alias G12 is a river with many tributaries. Tens of support groups have sprong within Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency to canvas for Oche Joseph to represent the area in the green chamber of the national assembly come 2023. There is a G12 Sisters Association, G12 Women Association, G12 Youths Association and a lot of others all for this purpose.
The G12 Foundation have empowered hundreds of Otukpo/Ohimini women and youths with grinder, motorcycle, tricycle, sewing machine and financial grants.

JAMES OCHE
Hon. James Oche is the unofficial Grand Commander of Idoma Youths in his capacity as the “Akpalla”. He is at the forefront of activism and Homeland defence. Popularly called Dr. Lee, is a fine politician of the Abrahamic (Abraham Lincoln) type, who believes that government is all about the people. Young vibrant Oche is the current Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government Council.
Following his outstanding performance as a council boss, he is being called to represent the people of Ado/Okpokpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency at the green chamber come 2023.

AIDA OGWUCHE
Uarguably, she is curretlly the amazon of Ogbadibo politics following the ‘disapperance’ of Theresa Omoha, Acheyini Ameh and others from the political stage.
Barrister Aida Nath Ogwuche is a Principal Special Assistant to Govenror Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
In 2019, she aspired to represent Ogbadibo State Constituency, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where she fought the eventual winner, Patrick Enemari to a standstill.

Aida the fearless political tigress of Ogbadibo once told a journalist who asked why she ventured into politics, that she was inspired by the likes of the latest Ada Igbo, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

She said, “I was challenged and I said, right in Ogbadibo where I come from, women are very subdued and are made underdogs as if they do not have a voice. And I said to myself, if the likes of Late Prof. Dora Akunyili who was my mentor and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala could make women proud, then I can do it.

I will be the light of Ogbadibo to make other women have confidence in themselves to come out”.

ALEX OGBE
Alexander Ogbe is synonymous with Ochacho Foundation. To the people of Otukpo/Ohimini he is a political Messiah, the road constructor, the water supplier, the generous entertainer and the helper of the needy.

Hon. Ogbe is the brother of the flamboyant real estate mogul, King Moh Odeh alias Ochacho the man who through his foundation, the Ochacho foundation managed by his brother Hon. Alex Ogbe provided hundreds of streetlights to dozens of streets in Otukpo, and recently started the reconstruction of a street road within the town. Otukpo people will not forget in a hurry the fun, exposure and business opportunity brought to the land by Ochacho Carnival last year.

During the Carnival put together by Ochacho Foundation, the foundation gave a scholarship to one of the attendants, with a lot of gifts and financial reward splashed on winners of some of the competitions and special performances.

The foundation also gave many talented youths the opportunity to share the same stage with raving musicians; Davido, Zlatan, Teni, Peruzzi and host of others. The carnival was free of charge.

The Ochacho Foundation under Hon. Ogbe have been supplying water to rural communities within the constituency to help reduce the hardship of the dry season, in addition to giving foodstuffs to the poor and needy.

Alex Ogbe, a professional photographer and business magnet-cum-philanthropist is the hallmark of the type of leaders the people of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency have been yearning for.

HON ALFRED OMAKWU
Hon Alfred Omakwu is a unionist, activism runs in his blood.
This gentle man from Ugboju has defined himself as a young leader with candour who in all seasons is a stickler for excellence, especially in areas of probity, integrity and diligence.

He has been on the political scene for years now and has many political offsprings.

He is eyeing the Adoka/Ugboju state seat. He aspired to represent them in 2019 but couldn’t pull through.
He is a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

ANGBO KENNEDY
Angbo Kennedy is the passionate and visionary emerging political tiger of Akweya.
Angbo Kennedy’s dream of leading the Otukpo LGA hit the rocks in 2019 when BESICE disqualified APC from participating in the poll.

Young and heartful, Angbo is a grassroots politician who is highly loved by everyone across political lines.
Sources said he’s eyeing the Otukpo/Akpa State constituency seat in 2023.
He would be fighting to displace the current occupant, Baba Odeh Johnson.

AUSTINE AGADA
Austin Agada is the rising political star of Owukpa.
When Chief Isaac Oduh, famously known as Ejekwote K’Idoma and Dr. Edwin Obe Idoko (MFR), Ohonyeta K’Idoma of the Salem Hospital went the way of all mortals some years ago, many had thought it was the end of the political destiny of Owukpa; Then entered the tiger of Amuche Onomo, Hon. Austin Agada.

He contested for the seat of Ogbadibo state constituency twice (2015 and 2019) but lost in controversial manners.

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, appointed him Senior Special Assistant on Administration, an office he used to empower many Idoma youths.

Through his Austine Agada Widows Foundation, he has put smiles on the faces of many women whose husbands have been snatched by the cold hands of death.

He has also empowered many youths in the community through his magnanimity.
Interestingly, Agada single-handedly sponsored the construction of a pavilion in the Ukwo Owukpa market.
Currently, he is an adviser to former Governor of Benue state now minister, Akume Goeroge.
He is a man to watch in 2023.

PATIENCE AKOH
Hon. Patience Ene Akor hailed from Ichama Ward 2 in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State.
She is currently the Secretary of Okpokwu LGA.

Before her appointment as the Sec of the LG, she served as Supervisory Councilor for Revenue, Okpokwu LGC, where she proved her mettled.
A crusader and strong disciple of Sen. Abba Moro. She has been tipped for the house of assembly by her followers but has not made her intention known.
This Political Science graduate is a lady to watch.

EMMANUEL AMEH PRONTO
Without sounding immodest and backed by empirical evidence, Emmanuel Ameh, also known as Pronto stands tall today amongst his peers as a peerless brand of humility, integrity, prudence, love for the poor, honesty of purpose, candour and a patriotic fervour still uncommon here in Benue South, nay, Nigerian effervescent political horizon.
Ameh served as the Secretary of Okpokwu LGA and proved his mettle as a leader to be trusted.