Opinion: APC vs PDP; there’s a better alternative in Benue

By: Ogenyi Akpogwu

Choosing between either to be devoured by a lion or a crocodile is fundamentally the same as either choice will end in strangulation and munching of your tore flesh into the belly of either of the beasts to satisfy its appetite. Either choice leads to a certain death.

But if there could be a third option, less horrible, like jumping down a high hill in attempting to escape the other options and end up with bruised and broken limbs, that would be most desirable to take.
This may be the present political configuration with respect to the 2019 governorship election in Benue.

The 3 main contenders are Ortom of the PDP, Jime of the APC and Dr. Hwande of the SDP. The next governor will be one of these three.

A cursory analysis of the trio:
ORTOM: A former member of the PDP who was singlehandedly “imported” to the APC and made governor by Akume. Ortom and his godfather who held and ruled the state as their joint private business later fell apart and he moved back to the PDP which made him its candidate.
His performance in the past over 3 years can best be defined as a colossal failure as no project is recorded and pensions and salaries arrears are mounting to high heavens. Insecurity, Poverty and hunger are rife.
His only seeming achievement is the anti open grazing law of which he is arguably not the architect.

JIME: A former PDP member and 2 time Hon. Member of the House of Reps. He decamped to the APC and was nearly made its governorship candidate in 2014 until his ambition was scuttled by Akume. He is presently the chairman of a board.
His present fraternity with Akume and Buhari and perception that he is their protege may be his albatross. The former is seen as the the bane of the State as he plausibly considers himself as the JAGABAN of the State. On the other hand, the latter has completely lost every form of goodwill in the Benue as a result of his defending silence and tacit approval of the murderous headsmen crusades which has become the daily lifestyle in the Benue.
A vote for Jime is seen by some as a vote to strengthen the mortal enemies of the Benue people. This is inconceivably dangerous.

HWANDE. A former PDP stalwart and governorship aspirant. He decamped from the PDP when Ortom was made its candidate. A practicing medical doctor with a private hospital in Makurdi and ANOTHER. at Guma which is said to offer free medical services.
He cannot be said to be a professional politician as not much can be said about his political career. He best may be defined as a PROFESSIONAL IN POLITICS.
I dare to say that this is the kind of breed we need in the politics of today if we must move the state out of the prevailing quagmire.

Hence, after a careful and deep reflection on our present political situation and the cross road at which we have found ourselves in Benue, it’s my conviction that it’s time to depart from the usual professional politicians and employ A TESTED AND SEASONED PROFESSIONAL.