Friends organize reception in honour of Senator Abba Moro in Otukpo

By John Ikwulono and Onjefu Ajeibi 

Friends of the Senator representing Benue South senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Distinguished Senator Abba Patrick Moro, on Sunday, organized a reception in his honour in Otukpo. The reception was in recognition of Senator Moro’s recent emergence as Minority Leader of the 10th Senate.  

Upon his arrival in Otukpo, the headquarters of Benue South Senatorial District, Senator Moro and his entourage proceeded to the palace of the Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu, Pastor Dr Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, to pay homage to the Paramount Ruler.

At the Och’Idoma’s Palace, Senator Moro said he came to present his new office to the Och’Idoma and get his royal blessing and grace to perform. He said he was not able to get chairmanship of any standing committee when Chairmen were announced, and he felt bad, but that he didn’t know God had a better plan for him. 

He told the Och’Idoma that God reserved him for the Minority Leadership and having gotten the position, he deemed it fit to first of all come to the palace and present himself to the king.

The Och’Idoma, in his response, said Senator Moro’s appointment was divinely inspired. He said the Idoma nation was proud of the senator and charged him to go and make exploits and represent Zone C well.

His words, “I bless you, my son. God will go before you and you will grow from strength to strength. You are a material. Whoever hates you is doing so because of the qualities you posses. Go and make exploits, and represent us well. We are proud of you.”

At the senator’s residence where the reception ceremony held, party faithful, supporters, admirers, friends and well-wishers of the senator gathered in their large number to receive the Minority Leader.

While addressing the mammoth crowd that gathered at his residence, Senator Moro thanked everyone for coming out to receive him. 

His words,

“When I started this campaign, I told you I was going to be your voice. I told you I knew Abuja very well, that I didn’t need any key to open any door. Whatever is meant for you, will surely come to you. I owe it to God and you all this minority leadership position. 

“As Senate Minority Leader, something big must drop. I will never forget this place of my birth. You are happy for me, you are happy for PDP. PDP will return to power. God knows the heart of kings and hearts of PDP. I enjoin all of you to pray for the success of the party.

“As for John Ngbede, I will continue to support you as I have always done. I will not do anything that will derail the PDP. Don’t loose faith. If for any reason, for some miscalculations, APC won, be patient. It is one thing to win, it is another thing to rule or lead well. 

“The dissolution of elected council members by the state government is alien to us. It does not matter what party you belong to, what is wrong is wrong. Sacking elected council members and replacing them with caretaker committees is illegal and unconstitutional. I insist that sending money to illegal caretaker committees is illegal and must stop. Those of you who know me know that if I fight a justifiable fight,  I don’t stop, I must see the end. 

“We have senators who are serving their 5th term, is it people like that I will mislead, as being peddled? 

“It’s unfortunate that my friend, our Governor, has allowed people to pressure him into commiting blunder. I’m not fighting the Governor; if he comes up with good policy, I will support him, but not wrong policy.

“Thank you for this reception, I promise to continue to speak loudly for you, defend your interests and attract developmental projects to the land.”

A former member of the House of Representatives representing Otukpo/Ohimni Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ezekiel Adaji, said the event was organized by friends of Senator Moro to celebrate the elevation of the Senator and tell the world that PDP is alive and shall take over fully.

Sir John Ngbede, on his part, said,

“We will come back again for another better and bigger reception. We have a lot of hopes. PDP is coming back bigger and better. We are solidly behind you. We will ensure that there is unity among us in Zone C. Congratulations on your elevation, Distinguished Senator.”

Speaking on behalf of Zone C PDP local government chairmen, Honourable Vincent Amuche described Senator Moro as an all-inclusive and a workaholic leader. He payed God to strengthen him to do more for the Idoma nation, Benue State and Nigeria at large, while promising the unalloyed support and loyalty of all the PDP local government chairmen for the senator.

In her own speech, the Benue State PDP women leader, Hon. (Mrs) Abeje Egwa,  described Senator Moro as humble and  encompassing. She said she was not surprised that the Senate Minority Leader is not lost in the crowd at the National Assembly, because of his capacity and capability. She congratulated and wished him higher heights in his political journey. 

The Forum of Local Government Chairmen in Benue State, represented by Hon. Steven Adakole Akatu, thanked the Senator for his quality representation in the upper chamber, which is so visible in the recent Motion sponsored by him on the floor of the Senate. Hon. Adakole prayed God to protect the senator and guide him to greater heights.

The Forum of embattled Benue State Councillors, represented by Hon. Frank ADzua, appreciated Senator Moro and pledged their unalloyed supports for him and PDP.

The Forum of embattled Vice Chairmen, through its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Frank Mbashinya, urged Senator Moro to continue to make impacts and break records. The Forum described the Motion he recently moved as the best that has happened in a democratic dispensation, stating that the senator remains a hero of Zones A, B, C in Benue and Nigeria as a whole.

Rt. Hon. Mike Audu, representing Adoka Ugboju State Constituency, spoke on behalf of the PDP House of Assembly members. He said they were proud of Senator Moro, stating that with him PDP is not minority in the State.