The Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Benue State and Chairman of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties, Comrade Simon Ogbe, has condemned a statement attributed to senatorial candidate and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo, describing it as “political hypocrisy, desperation and betrayal” of the Idoma people.
Ottah was reportedly quoted as saying that “the Idoma Nation’s minority status is the Idoma people’s problem, not Governor Alia’s.” Reacting to the comment, Ogbe questioned why Ottah, who previously represented the people in the Federal House of Representatives, would now use the minority status of the Idoma people to justify what he described as their political marginalisation.
“Have the Idoma people committed any crime by voting you into the Federal House of Representatives in 2019?” Ogbe asked. He argued that minority status should not be used as a justification for exclusion from political opportunities and development, noting that the Idoma people number over two million and have produced a former Senate President, ministers, captains of industry and respected religious leaders. “We deserve inclusion, development and a genuine sense of belonging,” he said.
Ogbe also expressed surprise at what he described as a change in Ottah’s political rhetoric, recalling that the former lawmaker was relatively measured in his public statements in previous political seasons, including in 2023 when he lost the opportunity to secure the House of Representatives ticket. He further questioned whether Ottah was attempting to position himself as one of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s strongest supporters in the Idoma zone.
The ZLP chairman cautioned politicians against assuming that securing a party ticket automatically guarantees electoral victory. “A ticket is not a vote. What translates into votes is your conduct, your credibility, your results and your ability to bring development to the people. You cannot insult the intelligence of the people today and expect their mandate tomorrow,” he said.
According to him, Ottah’s alleged justification of the Idoma people’s minority status could undermine efforts by other associates of Governor Alia who, he claimed, were working to rebuild confidence and promote a stronger sense of inclusion among the people. Ogbe therefore called on Ottah to retract the statement, warning that the comment could have political consequences in future elections.
“Withdraw your statement or get ready to be disgraced come 2027 and beyond. This statement has registered a deep pain in the hearts of our people,” he said. He reminded Ottah that political tickets were temporary, while the electorate remained the ultimate holders of political power. “You are not the first to hold the ruling party’s senatorial ticket, and you will never be the last. Political tickets are temporary, but the people remain,” Ogbe stated.
He concluded with a pointed message: “Even the buyer will not trust anybody who sells his brother. Must you share your brother’s weakness, even if you think he has one?” Ogbe maintained that the Idoma people would remember political actors who stood with them when it mattered, adding that the electorate would have the opportunity to make its judgment in 2027 and beyond.
