By Hassan Taiye

The Senatorial aspiration of the former Commissioner of Finance, Benue State, Dr David Olofu yesterday received more endorsements from traditional rulers and critical stakeholders as he continued his consultation to Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.

Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo is the Federal constituency of the incumbent Senator, Abba Moro.

In particular, the Okpokwu traditional council led by the indefatigable former Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Chief James Okefe said that they completely align themselves with the urgent need to shift the Senatorial seat to Apa/Agatu Federal constituency in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice.

Chief Okefe who also appreciate the Governor of the state, Reverend Father Hycenth Alia for taking good care of the traditional rulers assured that the people of Okpokwu local government area would collectively support the aspiration of Dr Olofu.

“What is good for the geese is also good for the gander. If cow eat, goat should also be allowed to eat. We, the Enone have dominated the Senatorial seat of the Benue South. We should allow it to go to other places especially Apa/Agatu that is yet to produce a Senator. They are not our slaves.

“This is the first time that we are going to have a Senator in the recent past. This traditional council does not know if we have a Senator at the moment. My son (Dr Olofu), if you go there don’t forget these two things I am going to tell you.

“Don’t forget to continue with the good thing you have been doing for people. As a commissioner you were helpful to both the individual and collective courses of the Idoma people. Don’t forget your Idoma people. And, don’t also forget the traditional rulers”, said the traditional ruler.

Dr Olofu apart from Okpokwu also obtained Royal blessings from the Ado and Ogbadibo traditional councils who prayed that no stumbling block should come his way in his quest to representing the Senatorial district in the Red Chamber.

Earlier, a retinue of personalities from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Igumale, Okpoga and Otukpa threw their weights behind the aspiration of the senatorial hopeful.

At Otukpa, the Leader of the party in the local government area, Honourable Chris Adaba Abah popularly known as “Mad Lion” called on the people of the area to support the Senatorial ambition of Dr Olofu saying that the Senate seat should not be seen as an exclusive preserve of the Enone people.

“Our people have occupied the seat for so long and therefore it is necessary in the spirit of fairness to cede it to another part of the senatorial district and to the glory of God, we have our own here – Dr David Olofu. We should all go home and begin to work for his victory”, he charged the people amidst thunderous ululation.

At Igumale, former council Chairman, Honourable Agbese disclosed that the people of Ado local government were ready to support Dr Olofu to victory saying that the continuous stagnation of the Senate in the Enone axis no longer serves the collective interest of the people of Benue South.

“We have been fooled for a very long time but we must refuse to be continue to be fooled. We will ensure that the Senate moves to Apa/Agatu Federal constituency in the spirit of oneness and to the glory of God, we have Dr DavidOlofu in the saddle”, said Agbese.

In his remarks at Okpoga, former commissioner in Benue State, Barrister Jacob Ogwuche disclosed that the people of Okpokwu local government area were solidly behind the aspiration of the Senatorial contender whom he said had all it takes to represent the people of the Benue South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Ogwuche who also functioned as the council chairman of Okpokwu at different times extolled the leadership qualities of Dr Olofu whom he described as not only a man of the people but a man of peace.

Speaking separately at the three locations, the Senatorial hopeful, Dr David Olofu who thanked both the traditional rulers and the stakeholders for coming out enmasse to receive him said he decided to vie for the Senatorial seat to assiduously work for the extrication of the senatorial district from the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment.

He said if voted, he would ensure that the entire Benue South Senatorial District becomes the Eldorado of Nigeria as he would work vigorously work for the enthronement of meaningful infrastructure that would catapult the senatorial district to the orbit of unprecedented development in the country.

Dr Olofu who said he had the intellectual wherewithal, experienced and the connection to accelerate the development of the entire Benue South Senatorial District urged the people to support him and end what he depicted as the bewilderment and lamentation that has currently embroiled the senatorial district.

“I am not man of lamentation. I don’t Want us to continue to lament. Let us change the narrative by firmly taking our destinies into our hands by supporting me to go to the Senate. When we succeed with my aspiration to the Senate, I assure you that together we will all be happy.

“I will institutionalise the Benue South People’s Assembly and the Benue-South Senatorial Council where power of developing our district will be devolved to you. It is you who will tell us what we want. The work will be done by all of us not me and my wife staying in my room and deciding what to do”, he asserted.

It would be recalled that few days ago, critical stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), from the Igede axis of the Benue South Senatorial District ceded the senatorial seat to the Apa/Agatu Federal constituency as they unanimously agreed to pursue their interests in other positions.