By Hon. Dr Gemanen Ajio Gyuse
Although I have already given a hint to many of my supporters and political associates, others remain in the dark about my next political move. Therefore, let me use this medium to formally declare my disinterest in contesting the Vandeikya/Konshisha House of Representatives seat come ’22 and have instead decided to throw my weight behind a suitably qualified candidate from the Tiev bloc of Kunav land to succeed. This decision is anchored on my belief that politics and political contests should not be ‘do-or-die’ affairs; hence, no amount of personal ambition can make me unreasonably blind and inconsiderate of others. Besides, I believe in supporting others to succeed, especially when all indices are right, for only our selfless actions and moderation of personal ambitions can make our society less toxic and more humane.
This should never be considered self-exaltation, but for those who know me closely, what I have always stood for is justice and fairness, no matter who is involved. Of course, seeking justice requires personal integrity and a commitment to treating others with dignity and fairness, even as you fight for your own rights. I believe that to be fair to others in our pursuit of justice, we must focus on transparency, empathy, and honest communication. Sadly, this is an aspect that is grossly lacking in our political environment, but we must not all follow the same trajectory.
Indeed, I contested the Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal constituency seat in 2023, not only to bring about progress and development in Jechira but also to confront pervasive injustice in my sphere of endeavour. The House of Representatives seat in the Jechira intermediate area is shared between Vandeikya and Konshisha. However, since the return of ‘stable’ democracy in 1999 after old days of incessant military interregnums, which will be 28 years in 2027, Vandeikya enjoyed only 8 years (or slightly more) of representation at the National Assembly (NASS), while the Konshisha bloc had enjoyed about 16 years of representation at the HoR (i.e., Rt Hon. Hembe) and 12 years at the Senate (i.e., Sen. Gemade = 8 years and Sen. Akaagerger = 4 years) as at 2023 when I opted to take the seat back to Vandeikya. I considered such an arrangement unfair; hence, it was a serious injustice against the Vandeikya people from the prism of the shared history between Vandeikya and Konshisha.
However, while I was looking at the macro-level analysis of the situation (i.e., the Vandeikya and Konshisha macro-sharing formula), others resorted to micro-level analysis, bringing in the sentiments of the Kunav, Gaav, and Ishangev-Tiev representations. It was argued in some quarters that although Konshisha had already enjoyed many years at the NASS, the trio of Sen. Gemade, Sen. Akaagerger and Rt. Hon. Hembe were all from Gaav; hence, the Ishangev-Tiev bloc should be allowed a bite at the cherry. Ostensibly, Hon. Sesoo Gboko emerged victoriously based on this argument and, indeed, from the palpable shortchanging of the Ishangev-Tiev people. At the end of Sesoo’s 4 years at the NASS in 2027, Ishangev-Tiev will be deemed to have been compensated. Still, most importantly, his 4 years will conveniently give Konshisha 20 uninterrupted calendar years of NASS representation, which can be conceptualised as 32 years when the 12 years of Gemade and Akaagerger at the Senate are added. Vandeikya is nowhere near this, with its mere 8 years.
Now that the Ishangev-Tiev people have had the opportunity to be represented, they should know that the same thing they cried against is happening in Vandeikya under the TIEV bloc. That is, since 1999, even the paltry 8+ years were enjoyed by the Kyan bloc, leaving TIEV in Vandeikya the same way Ishangev-Tiev was left in Konshisha. Therefore, it will be foolhardy for either the incumbent Sesoo or anyone else from Ishangev-Tiev to lay claim to the HoR seat, let alone the Gaav people.
To put it differently, considering the arguments advanced by the Ishangev-Tiev people in 2023, it has now become more reasonable to view the HoR situation through the prism of micro-level blocs. In Jechira, we have 4 main blocs, viz.: TIEV, KYAN, GAAV, and ISHANGEV-TIEV – the first 2 being from Vandeikya, while the last 2 are from Konshisha. Taking the argument that gave Hon. Sesoo (from Ishangev-Tiev, Konshisha) an advantage over me (from Kyan, Vandeikya), it will be fair to argue that from 1999 to date, KYAN, GAAV and ISHANGEV-TIEV have had a shot at the NASS, while TIEV has not.
Based on the above-stated practical truth, I strongly feel that although I am eminently qualified to contest for any position in Nigeria, contesting the HoR position from Kyan of Vandeikya Local Government at this point means jettisoning my long-standing spirit of fighting injustice. This does not show strong integrity but rather demonstrates inordinate ambition. Indeed, in 2023, it was a ‘fight’ between Vandeikya and Konshisha, but in 2027, it will be a struggle to treat the Tiev people fairly. Tiev of Vandeikya deserves to represent Jechira at the NASS, and the time is now! This is the only act that will translate into justice and equity for all on that axis. Above all, putting our ambitions on hold for the sake of justice is what makes us a civilised people.
It is against this backdrop that I have decided to throw my weight behind a resilient, farsighted, compassionate, highly educated and cultivated young man, Hon. Dr Aondoaseer Gbe Benjamin Orduen from the Tiev axis of Vandeikya. I find him quite suitable because, apart from his education and political credentials, he had already contested the House of Representatives seat in 2023 and was clinging to the ticket until the PDP decided to zone the position to the Konshisha people. The APC followed suit, ostensibly to wipe the tears of the Ishangev-Tiev people. Besides, I read his manifesto and was quite impressed, particularly because it perfectly aligned with mine. In summary, it is quite strategic and people-orientated.
Today, we have all found ourselves in the same party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), under whose platform he is contesting. To have all this knowledge about Dr Gbe’s credentials, experience and manifesto; to know that he is from the most favoured zone (TIEV) as far as Jechira geopolitical representation in 2027 is concerned; and still go ahead with my ambition to run for the same seat in 2027 is not only over-ambitious but also unreasonably unjust. I, therefore, urge all my supporters to queue behind the AG-BEN project. Let us all make it a reality. In fact, it is a sheer display of tactlessness to contemplate supporting anyone outside of the Tiev bloc in 2027 for the Jechira HoR if justice is still what it is.
God bless the good people of Jechira land!
God bless Benue State!
God bless Nigeria!
PEACE UNTO OUR LAND!
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