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Dymistifying The Benue Leadership Myths: Sam Ode & The Politics Of 2023.

Published

4 years ago

April 8, 2021

Oftentimes, when I interact with my brethren of Idoma extraction, there is this usual pride, apparently hinged on a passive fixation of being an “effective minority.” This is what I call positive ego, but that posture is unhealthy, particularly in the face of many unconquered political challenges.This complex remains ridiculous until deliberate steps are taken by Idoma sons and daughters to alter the status quo.
Why would a people delight in basking in the euphoria of what appears to me as a minus when they are yet to conquer a simple challenge; of taking a deserved position in the political leadership of their own state, Benue?

My perception of what should embody “effectiveness” of a people is conspicuously absent in the politics and socio cultural configuration of the Idoma nation today.
Believe me, the Idoma Nation has been clearly shortchanged in the political leadership permutations in their own state of Benue. The existing sentiments do not favor them, yet they seem to have only a passive interest in effecting reforms to reset the default political settings foisted on them by their Tiv “majority” counterparts.

For me, this is the basis of this piece. To reawaken the general consciousness of our brethren from that divide to rise up and conquer this decades long challenge.
The continued posturing of an “effective minority” in place of mobilizing and galvanizing their kith and kin to change the unfair political status quo is unyielding, counter productive and quite unsettling.

I am not a tribal bigot. I am also not unaware of the intrigues of political rivalry.Therefore, I hold the view that contest for political leadership should be broad based and not skewed from the onset to the disadvantage of other ethnic groups within a shared political territory. There’s no justification for this. I am a nationalist and I uphold the ideals of nationalism which transcends beyond ethnicity, tribe, culture and geography; to say the very least, on Issues of political leadership in the 21st century.

In the course of forging common frontiers and building bridges across the country, I have had course to interact with many great Nigerians of diverse backgrounds and endeavors; people who in themselves, by every indeces are core nationalists.
But one that stood out exceptionally as a true symbol of unity and beacon of peace is Dr. Samuel Ode who incidentally was the running mate to Barr. Emmanuel Jime both of whom gave life to the joint ticket of the APC in 2019 as governor and deputy governorship candidates respectively. Dr Sam Ode is pleasant, charming, down to earth, above all, he is irredeemably humble and detribalised to the core.

Among the very many great sons and daughters of Idoma nation, Dr Sam Ode symbolizes humility, finnese, respect, positive demeanor , candour and true statesmanship; which virtues are true of a typical traditional African Idoma man and synonymous with the Idoma culture.
Overtime, I have come to understand Idoma people as endowed with some underlying virtues, particularly, an undying entrepreneurial spirit and togetherness but they are unable to harness this towards forging a common front to liberate themseves from what I call the flipping theory of “we are majority” often flaunted by their good neighbors, the Tivs; of course to sustain the decades long political bias.

Let me say this without any conjecture that the Idoma nation is endowed with people of valour, principles, honor and an amazing commitment to excellence as demonstrated in the decade long and subsisting achievements of their sons and daughters which stare before us in many facets of human endeavor. The likes of Sen David Mark, Mike Onoja of the old folk, and Dr Sam ode, Abba Morro of the semi-old folk and not forgetting the emerging pacesetters in the likes of Chief Philip Agbese , Hon Joe Ojobo etc. Whichever way one examines this, there’s no question about the non shortage of egg heads on that side of the divide whom, if truly united, can break the jinx unhindered.

The uniqueness, ingenuity, political prowess and determination demonstrated at various levels of leadership and human relations by the above few examples leaves no one in doubt that our brothers are prepared if given a fair chance at political leadership in Benue state.

Interestingly or rather ironically, not sure, whether it is fate or sheer lack of push by the Idoma people themselves, our brethren over there have been unable to produce a Governor in their home state of Benue since its creation in 1976.
In my view, the general posture and political pattern of Idoma people as regards their approach in seeking for political leadership of Benue as Governor is not entirely encouraging. Every thing comes down to lack of unity amongst themselves. As much as the Tiv majority would wish otherwise, what remains the greatest impediment to the dream of “an Idoma Governor” is their own unity.

As a Tiv man, I align with my kinsmen that political leadership is not inherited or willed or offered on the basis of wishes…but of course on the basis of effective and passionate push hinged on a united front.This reality, as weird as it sounds, takes the challenge at the door steps of our Idoma brethren.

Now is the moment…

This is the time for our brethren to seize the moment. The politics of our neiboring states have effectively laid a positive precedent about the sentiments of “minority & majority” and through the emergence former president Jonathan, that sentiment of minority was effectively weakened and I dare say abolished.

On the above premise, will our Idoma brethren wake up from slumber? Will they join forces to domesticate the capacity inherent in their son Dr Sam Ode? This puzzle is much left for our Idoma brethren to unravel.

In 2007, regardless of the deep seated sentiments, the Idoma people still made an impression that would have revolutionalised the existing political arrangement that seems to barr them from Benue government house. But one thing counted against them; multiplicity or duplicity of interests in place of a united front. On their divide alone, we had the likes of many qualified candidates in Chief Mike Okibe , Lawrence Onoja, Chief Stephen Lawani, Ralph Igbago etc.As competent as they all were, if the Idoma had united behind the leading contender in Mike Onoja, no sentiment would have betrayed that cause of taking the political leadership of Benue at the time.

Myself, just like every other patriot felt the pain but more importantly, it exposed the fact that the Idoma people where their own problem.

The above courage demonstrated by Mike Onoja remains the closest and greatest leap made by any Idoma aspirant in the bid to change the status quo regarding political leadership in Benue state.The golden opportunity and good will was frittered away by the sheer lack of unity amongst the Idoma brethren themselves. Sadly, it was still exploited by the tiv majority.

On the above premise, It is my conviction, that our Idoma brethren do not go into the Benue governorship race with all the arsenals they need to appeal and disarm opponents. In my view, Idoma’s greatest weapon is unity and failure to deploy and maximally utilize it is akin to arming an enemy at the expense of their own dream.

As we pace towards 2023 general elections, the beautiful and adorable Princess of “Alekwu” deity stands naked in the market square waiting to be clothed with the traditional woven dress of unity. She is nervous and anxiously waiting for the Idoma race to cover her nakedness with a beautifully knitted attire of unity.

And most importantly, in politics, sometimes, it is better to dispel the “imaginary”fear of your opponents. This begins with the basics.The inherent suspicion of the Tiv people with conceding Benues’ governorship seat to Idoma people is hinged on the phobia of state domination. This assertion or suspicion has no basis in reality, no veracity in it’s entirety and utterly without proof.But most times, consistency with speculations overshadows truth. Conscious steps must therefore be taken to neutralize those suspicions,for they are shadows without claws; albeit planted to hold the Idoma brethren back.

As a Tiv man, I have a deep seated conviction about the spirit of self-guilt, which follows majority of our folks for their continuous expression of bias against the Idoma brethren having regard to the Benue governorship seat.But guilts do not vanish by wishes.

I am convinced, more than ever before, that this is the time for the Idoma Nation to put their house in order; preparatory to Benue 2023. It is time for the Idoma people to present before Benue, a unified candidate, a bridge builder, a dismantler of negative illusions, an enabler of peace, a pace setter and one, whose personality erodes all suspicions and ignites passion for excellence, love, unity , peace and progress for the entire people of Benue.

To this end, and on this premise;I see bright light, I see a shining star , I see a firm armour, I see glory and splendor in the unified candidature of Dr. Sam Igbadio Ode.

He is a household name in Benue and indeed, Nigeria. His mixed heritage (Idoma father/Tiv mother) is a pointer to the bridge we seek.He is a refined multilinguist, which answers to the penetrative fear of domination.He upholds the vitures that endures; Amiable, humble, humane, generous, passionate, hardworking, a goal-getter, detribalized and above all God fearing.

For Sam ode, through life and its viccisitudes, as former Otukpo Council Chairman; Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, this virtues became values.

His life is defined by selflessness and sustained by an abiding spirit of humility wherever and in whatever capacity he has been called to serve his people.

“Uncle Sam” as his admirers fondly call him has kept faith with the APC and on whose platform, he wishes to take a shot at the Benue most coveted seat in 2023. This is a wake-up call first, to the Idoma people before others, to line-up behind Dr. Sam Ode as their 2023 unified candidate. It is my profound plea to Benue people to endorse and support him for the 2023 race to Government house.

Solomon Semaka is a public affairs analyst and social Justice Crusader

News

Lebanese expatriate worker sues GOC 2 Div, others, for alleged unlawful detention, demands N2bn as damages

Published

3 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Ibrahim Nassar, a Lebanese expatriate worker with Phoenix Import and Export Limited in Kwara State, has gone to the Federal High Court, Ilorin Division, seeking an order compelling the Nigerian Army to release him immediately from his four-month detention without trial.

In a suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, the applicant identified himself as a citizen of
Lebanon with a valid passport and a lawful resident in Nigeria with a validly issued
Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit, and that he has been living and working
with Phoenix Import and Export Limited, Kaiama in Baruten Local Government Area,
Kwara State for some time now, without any criminal record.

In the Suit No. FHC/IL/CS/87/2025 between Ibrahim Nassar (Applicant) and the General Officer, Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major-general Obinna Onubogu; the Chief of Army Staff and; the Nigerian Army (as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents, respectively), the Lebanese complained that he was unlawfully arrested on 9th May, 2025 by the officers of the 2nd respondent at the instruction or command of the 1st respondent.

According to Nassar, he was detained for many days and was released by the Department of State Security (DSS) when he was not found culpable for any criminal activities. He said he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 and has since been in detention up to now without any criminal charge against him.

Describing his arrest and detention without any justification as illegal, unwarranted, wrongful and unconstitutional, the Lebanese further told the court that he is both asthmatic and diabetic, among other serious medical conditions, and need to seek medical attention.

He alleged that while in the detention of the respondents, he was humiliated, tortured and harassed in order to self-incriminate himself, which he stood his ground against.

He further alleged that he was treated inhumanly as he was detained in a very dark and fearful confinement like a common criminal. In addition, he claimed that he was not fed well and when he ought to be fed, he was just given a very small portion of any meal available not minding the fact that he is not a Nigerian who is no exposed to any sort of foods.

The application by Ibrahim Nassar for an order for the enforcement of his fundamental
Human rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and
Enforcement) Act CAP A9 LFN 2004, United Nations declaration of Human Rights, 1948,
and Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, was filed by his counsel,
Prof. M.T. Adekilekun Esq, leading Shareef Mohammed Esq., Prof. A.O. Sambo, Oludare
W. Akanbi, Esq, Maryann Osuyak (Miss) and, A.S Adeyemi, Esq.

In the suit, Ibrahim Nassar is also seeking an order and declaration of the court that his continuous arrest, detention, humiliation, torture, inhuman treatment and harassment by the respondents is unlawful, illegal, ultra vires and grossly violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended), the African Charter on Human and peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, United Nations Declaration of Human rights, 1948.

He is also seeking an order of the court that he be paid exemplary and aggravated damages in the sum of One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) only against the respondents jointly and severally as a result of the infringement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and dignity of human person, harassments, intimidation, threats and public ridicule occasioned by the Respondents on the applicant.

In addition, Nassar is demanding payment of another One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) as General Damages against the respondents jointly and severally for his unlawful detention, as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents by themselves, their officers, servants, agents and privies from: (i) arresting, threatening, intimidating, restraining, harassing and humiliating him or threats thereof.

In an affidavit in support of originating motion for enforcement of fundamental human
right of the applicant, one Vandi Vatiki of Czar Farms Limited, Oke oyi, Ilorin Kwara
State and Phoenix Import and Export Limited, averred that sometime on 9th May, 2025, “the officers of the Nigerian Army (the 3rd respondent) came in a gestapo manner, fully armed with weapons, and bumped into the hotel room of the applicant in Kaiama, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State and arrested him without warrant of arrest and any offence alleged against him.

“That when myself and applicant’s co-Lebanese present made enquiries as to the
offence committed by the applicant, no any reason whatsoever was given.

“That I know as a matter of fact that the applicant was first taken to Sobi Barracks
where he was detained unlawfully and after sometime was transferred to 2nd Division
of the Nigerian Army, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, Oyo State.

“That the applicant was detained without any offence alleged against him for more than
two weeks and every attempt to get the applicant released proved abortive.

“That one of the steps taken to ensure the release of the applicant was the
engagement of Rashidi Isamotu Esq., to apply for the release of applicant who upon
being engaged wrote a letter titled: “Request for Release of Ibrahim Nassar” dated 20th
May, 2025 to the 1st respondent.

“That instead of the 1st respondent to yield to the simple request since nothing
incriminating was traced to or found with the applicant, he ordered the transfer of the
applicant to the office of Department of DSS Oyo State Command, Ibadan for profiling
and further investigation, having spent two weeks with them at Odogbo Barracks,
Ibadan’

“That the office of DSS in Ibadan, upon proper profiling and investigation of the
applicant, found him not culpable for any offence hence, found no reason why it should
keep the applicant in their custody and consequently transferred the applicant to Kwara
State Command, Ilorin, the state where the applicant was arrested.

“That on getting to Ilorin, the DSS in Ilorin too found nothing incriminating about the applicant and consequently released the applicant without any further delay or hindrance whatsoever.

“That the applicant thought the storm was over and was making attempt to settle down
and attend to his health which has deteriorated due to the unlawful detention,
humiliation and torture meted against him by the 1st respondent and other officers of
the 3rd respondent, he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 by the officers of
the 3rd respondent at the mandate and command of the 1st respondent without warrant
of arrest.

“That the applicant upon being re-arrested on 16th June, 2025 was taken straight to
Odogbo Barracks of the 2 Division of the 3rd respondent like the previous arrest and has
been unlawfully and wrongfully detained since then under the watch of the 1st
respondent who the 2nd respondent failed to check (despite having knowledge of the
unlawful arrest) without any crime alleged against or charge framed against him till
now.

“That attempt was made to secure the release of the applicant again by still engaging
the services of Rasidi Isamotu Esq to write a complaint to the Chief of Army staff, the
2nd respondent in respect of the conduct of the 1st respondent and his officers on the
unlawful detention of the applicant.

That the said Rashidi Isamotu wrote the complaint on the 19th June, 2025 and same
was received and acknowledged by the office of 2nd respondent at Army Headquarters,
FCT, Abuja on the 26th June, 2025.

“That the family and friends of the applicant are in disarray now as nothing is even
heard of the applicant again, making them to be subjected to psychological torture, to
the point that other expatriates working with our company are now living in fear and
trembling as a result of the illegal action of the respondents.

“That sequel to the above, many (if not all) of our expatriates have left the country because they feel that their lives are not safe and secured with the inhuman treated made against the applicant coupled with the unlawful arrest and detention. It could be anybody.

That the applicant has not been charged with any offence before any court of Law in
Nigeria.

“That if this Honourable Court do not intervene as a matter of urgency the life of the
applicant is under imminent threat and may lead to his death.

That unless this application is granted, the applicant will continue to suffer violation of
his fundamental rights of freedom of movement and personal liberty as well as dignity
of human person.

As of the time of this report, the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Army headquarters, Abuja, were still to respond to a message sent over the weekend, seeking their comments on the allegations by the Lebanese.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

News

Oluwole Foundation Lifts 70 Branch Members Of C&S Church in Ilorin

Published

12 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Barely a month after empowering no fewer than 70 members at the headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Oluwole Foundation has extended the noble gesture to 24 branches of the Church within Ilorin metropolis and Oke-Oyi.

In the new dispensation, the Oluwole Foundation provided material and financial support to additional 70 beneficiaries, costing the Foundation about N37m.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the programme, the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Moses Ademola Popoola, said the extension of the empowerment programme this year to the branches of the Church was in obedience to divine instruction and as a means to tackle poverty within the Church community.

“We have 62 branches under our Church, but this is the first time we are going beyond our headquarters. For now, we have covered 24 Churches and empowered 70 people, spending close to N37 million. This is not just charity; it’s also evangelism. Some people will not be converted through preaching but through welfare,” Pastor Popoola explained.

He urged beneficiaries to take the gesture seriously, work hard, and extend help to others, assuring the congregants of further expansion of the empowerment programme to cover more beneficiaries in the coming years.

“They should not see this as a national cake. Be prudent, save, grow your business, and from what you have, help someone else. That way, we help the family, society, and the nation,” he cautioned.

Pastor Popoola also called on other foundations, especially those owned by Christians, to carry out their work with sincerity, rather than for personal gain. “This service is first to God, then to society. When we help people genuinely, we reduce poverty, crime, and unemployment.”

The cleric, however, stressed the need for the government to prioritise agriculture and rural development in order to tackle poverty and unemployment ravaging the nation.

He added: “Every wealthy nation built its economy on agriculture. So, government should secure our farmlands, provide tractors, and support our farmers holistically. Let each region focus on its strength, like cocoa in the West and groundnut in the North. We must also develop rural areas with electricity, motorable roads, hospitals, and jobs to curb rural-urban migration.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Janet Shaba, who expressed gratitude to the Oluwole Foundation for the kind gesture, promised that they would make judicious use of the items received.

End

News

Audu Ogbeh’s death a big loss for North Central: Kwara Gov

Published

13 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed sadness over the death of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Governor AbdulRazaq said the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh is a big loss to the North Central Region, calling him a statesman, thoughts leader, and nationalist.

“Chief Audu Ogbeh was a dependable leader of our region. He earned the respect of all on account of his outstanding leadership and service to the nation at different times, especially during his time as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,” the Governor said in a statement on Sunday.

Governor AbdulRazaq has, however, sent his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Benue State and to his family and associates.

He prayed to God to give the family the strength to bear the huge loss.

End