Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
An elder statesman and former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu, has cautioned that any politician from Benue South contemplating a third or fourth term in the Senate is doing a disservice to the political survival and unity of Benue South Senatorial District and Idoma nation in particular.
Abounu, who made the declaration in Makurdi while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, said the principle of zoning remained critical to ensuring fairness, equity and justice among the various political blocs in the district, stressing that elective positions should rotate to give different parts of the zone opportunities to produce political representatives that would attract development.
The former deputy governor who was responding to the political choices before the people of Benue South ahead of the 2027 general elections, said the people of the district must resist attempts to undermine the existing rotational arrangement.
Our correspondent reports that after the return of democracy in 1999, Senator David Mark from Otukpo, who led the Senate 6th and 7th National Assembly, handed over to Senator Abba Moro, the current Senate Minority Leader who hails from Ugbokolo in Okpokwu Local Government Area in 2015.
Abba Moro has done two terms at the National Assembly and is currently contesting for a third term.
But the ex-deputy governor warned that prolonged denial of political opportunities to some sections of the district could breed disenchantment and threaten the unity of the zone.
“If you ask me, I will say that anybody seeking the position of senator, on the premise of zoning and fairness, should understand that the position should rotate within the senatorial district.
“This is necessary because, if we continue to disregard the principle of zoning, the disenchantment will reach a level where we can no longer maintain harmony in our society. And without harmony, there can be no meaningful development.
“So whoever is contemplating a third or fourth term is doing a lot of disservice to the political survival of Idoma nation,” he said.
According to him, zoning at the present stage of Nigeria’s democratic development was necessary to promote peaceful coexistence among the people of the senatorial district.
He said “So, to answer your question, zoning at this level of our democratic development is absolutely important.
He noted that Benue South had produced individuals with the capacity to occupy important political offices, arguing that there was no shortage of qualified persons across the district.
“Luckily for us, there is no area in Benue South where we do not have people who are highly qualified for any position in government.”
Abounu cited the long tenure of former Senate President, David Mark, in the Senate and the emergence of other political leaders from the district because Nigeria was at its peak of nascent democracy saying any Idoma person craving for third term does not mean well for the people.
He maintained that the zoning principle should not be restricted to the Senate, but should also be considered in the distribution of other elective positions, including the governorship and other offices.
“Unfortunately, we have been dwelling on the Senate seat, but this zoning issue is not limited to the Senate. The governorship and other elective positions should also be considered,” he said.
The former deputy governor, however, cautioned that zoning alone should not determine the choices voters make in 2027, urging the electorate to examine the antecedents, character and records of candidates before casting their ballots.
“The first thing they should consider is zoning. For the Senate, it is between Oju/Obi and Apa/Agatu,” he said.
“For the sake of fairness, equity and justice, there should be a proper consideration of the zoning arrangement so that we can continue to live together as brothers and sisters, rather than have some people feel so disenchanted that they begin to agitate for independence.”
Abounu urged voters to investigate whether candidates seeking elective offices had previously served in government and, where applicable, assess their records and contributions to society.
He said voters should also consider candidates’ relationships with the people, their willingness to listen and their commitment to the welfare of their constituents.
“Above all, the people should not vote for someone simply because that person wants the office,” he said.
According to him, political office should be regarded as an avenue for service rather than personal enrichment.
“Public office is not meant to be an avenue for acquiring money and affluence. If someone wants money and affluence, there are legitimate businesses they can engage in. But when you are representing the people in the political sector, it is about service,” Abounu said.
He therefore urged the people of Benue South to elect candidates who, beyond political ambition, have demonstrated concern for the welfare of the people and are prepared to serve their interests.
