Now that Mimi Orubibi is on the plow again 

As 2019 General Election approached, Chief Mimi Orubibi, Wan Adzape Igino, who then was the Chairman, Benue State Internal Revenue Service, BIRS had put her cards open ! She didn’t just want to be on the sidelines, she jumped in the ring, to participate actively!

When a few years ago she was appointed to head BIRS, not many knew her or could say for certain what she had to offer! Mimi, in a few years proved herself. She liberalized and democratized taxation in the state, and by so doing, making her popular amongst the numerous Benue youths who were engaged in tax collection. This came with a huge political capital.

Many of us were not comfortable with her going in the ring with that political capital though. We felt, in 2019, she should have consolidated more powers, threw it behind His Excellency, Samuel Ortom who needed a second term. As they say, the rest his history.

Mimi Orubibi got in the ring and she lost! Despite her defeat, many people from Kwande and Zone A, conclude today that it was a gallant fall. She came second in the election, meaning that she got more votes than the incumbent Senator at the time. To muster that strength against someone like Gabriel Suswam, a former House of Reps and Governor, was indeed to her credit as a political super weight in the zone and was supposed to be one of the most prized assets in APC in the state.

But like the party always does, in their post election regrouping and strategy, Mimi Orubibi was not only ignored and treated with disdain by APC, but also in recent social media shaming, some strong members of the party reduced her efforts to beauty pageantry. What a way to pay hard work and commitment!

That is why it was all justified when Mimi Orubibi returned to the country and attacked her party for not being fair to the people. Although, it might seem to be her fighting back, but indeed, she spoke the truth. She took on the issues of security and economy, which the Buhari regime promised but has failed the people.

In a lame response, the leadership of APC in Kwande summarily suspended her. This is the woman who has sustained the party in the local government and other parts of zone A. All these went on, the leaders of the party stood and watched helplessly.

Although it appears their eyes are opened, is it not too late? Even if it is not too late, it is too dangerous, for Mimi Orubibi to submit to pressure to stay back in the APC now that her hands are on the plow!

The advice is in Luke 9: 62, “Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”! All experienced are aware of what will happen if she stays back: Shame and destruction!

Many political analysts believe that APC does not forgive such ‘sins’ so easily. They may seem to show love to Mimi now and work on her emotions not to abandon the party. But it will only be a bidding of time to strike and destroy her once and for all! She hit them where it pains them the most. The issues she raised in her address at IDP camp are the very issues that are sinking the APC ship in Benue and other parts of Nigeria.

The APC had ample time to keep her, respect her and compensate her! They wasted all they time! What they are looking for now is simply, clear- Keep her and, finish what tbey were doing to her.

Mimi, this is a moment of wisdom and God’s guidance. Trust those people at your peril! They don’t love you.

Make the move now!

By Iorliam Shija