The Alia political phenomenon (Part Viii): Nominating a running mate

It is no gain denying the fact that the choice of a running mate to the People’s consensus gubernatorial candidate for Benue state come 2023, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth IORMEM Alia PhD, is taking more time than expected to arrive at nominating a substantive deputy governor candidate.

To some, it is taking longer than required and becoming unbecoming. But to those who have Benue state at heart, they are not discouraged but rather hopeful that due diligence must be followed if we must get it right. This is the expectation of every meaningful Benue man.
If we have been rushing to pick a running mate in the past, where has that practice dragged us to today.?

Let us know that the deputy governor nomination is a prerogative of the the APC Gubernatorial flagbearer, the Benue APC and the Benue south also known as Zone C in collaboration.
Since the nomination processes were set rolling, many waters have passed under the bridge, and still flowing. But we are resolute and prayerful that a deputy governor nominee shall emerge and the stipulated timeline for the submission to INEC would be met so as to effect the necessary changes for the placeholder.

Many qualified candidates from the Zone C extraction have indicated interests and lobbying and permutations are ongoing. Some have deployed media propaganda to congratulate themselves on social media as the deputy governor nominee without correspondence to the appropriate quarters.

Some pundits have asserted that in the history of Nigeria politics, this is the first time the nomination of a deputy governor has taken such competitive dimension. Very two significances; it shows how desperate every Benue man wants to belong to the change process that would better our lots. Secondly, it typifies and validates the confidence everyone has in the ALIALIZATION ticket, a sure banger.

You must know that the selection process which started in Zone C with the stakeholders fully involved has been moved to the APC National Secretariat when it became obvious that there were interplay of external forces colluding with the set aside rules.

Typically, the Zone C stakeholders are of the opinion that since zoning of political offices are done in other parts of Benue state without seeking for inputs and contributions from the Zone C people, same should apply to Zone C with no meddlesomeness of any sort.

It can be recalled that the Zone C is broken into 4 political blocs. And this is how each bloc had has its fair share with respect to the office of the deputy governor since our return to civil rule in 1999.
1. Oju/Obi bloc – Late Ogiri Ajene
2. Old Okpokwu – Chief Stephen Lawani
3. Old Otukpo – Eng. Benson Abounu.
4. Apa/Agatu – ???

Following from above, it is the birthright of Apa/Agatu to take their turn at this auspicious time if the traditional zoning arrangement is to be adhered to. And this is what seems to be the choice of the majority of the Zone C people.

But as it is said; “politics is interest.”
Hence diverse interests have spurred up controversies upon controversies so as to shortchange the popular choice – the zoning arrangement in place. Such that at the last Zone C stakeholders meeting that was held late last month, no unanimous decision was reached on the choice of a candidate, but instead a list of 8 deputy governor nominees was put forward for consideration. On the list are:

1.Amb.Dickson Akoh – Otukpo
2.Hon. David Adulugba – Okpokwu
3.Engr. Morgan Okwoche – Oju
4.Hon.Benjamin Omakolo – Apa
5.Hon.Benard Ochepa – Ado
6.Hon.Agbo Oga – Ohimini
7.Hon.michael oglegba- Otukpo
8. Hon Godsday Samuel Ogbadoyi – Agatu.

At this juncture, it is noteworthy to state categorically the nomination process is ongoing with all the APC stakeholders in Zone C converging at Abuja. The recent meeting was held today with no resolution reached yet.
Extension by INEC for the submission of name of deputy governor candidate is in the offing.

Moreso, looking at the list of names, there is no Tiv name among the nominees hence the issue of Tiv-Tiv ticket does not apply here. The propagandists making a feast out of it can go concoct another round of propaganda. It is another handwork of disgruntled opposition elements, aimed at abusing the minds of the teeming Zone C supporters of the ALIALIZATION project.

“So therefore”, don’t be distracted, cajoled and misled by some overzealous social media aides of some aspirants who take to social media platforms to nominate and congratulate their preferred candidates.
There is no secrecy with nominating and making public the substantive deputy governor candidate.
Likewise, a formal and public declaration would be made once the nomination process is completed.

YES FATHER!

Dr. Kadev Kenneth Kevin is a public health physician, policy analyst and a critic.