As 2023 looms large, the agitation for an Idoma Governor in Benue State continues to grow strongly.
Even during these days of the swift coronavirus, the agitation has been growing at a very fast pace, faster than the pandemic.
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Suswam denies working against Idoma interest
A major advantage is the fact that more and more voices of men and women of good conscience of all ethnic nationalities beyond Idomaland are also growing louder than ever in support of the agitation.
However, there are well-grounded concerns about covert internal sabotage by Idoma political leaders.
Particularly concerning are the gradual maintenance of the unfavourable old political arrangements such as the retention of chairmanship of parties by Idoma and the clandestine shopping for an Idoma Deputy Governor.
Those who possess supersensitive antennae to political danger are expressing concerns that these unfolding inimical arrangements being generated by Idoma political leaders can extinguish the Idoma Governor. And for the governor not to be extinguished, prayer is the key.
Please, pray that God continue to enlarge the Idoma Governor, in such a manner that He makes him larger than any Idoma political leader (s) – so large that it will overwhelm their ambitions, ego, greed and selfishness.
Also, Pray so that Idoma political leaders will understand the inevitability of an Idoma Governor.
Many historians have recorded not only the irrelevance of injustice and unfairness but their doom from the start as expressed in the rise and fall of Kogi State, and a host of others.
It is indeed difficult for ordinary Idoma men and women to change the way Idoma society works politically.
But, it is possible with God.
There is evidence to show that God has brought such a change in so many societies in a jiffy.
History is never a destiny for God.
Despite the vicious circle, He can replace the Idoma and Benue extractive societies in a given moment.
The second prayer point is that God turn the encouragement and support from zones A and B of Benue State into a practical moving force.
Frankly, the open verbal support by some political leaders from the two zones has opened new frontiers, vistas and opportunities in the state’s political space for an Idoma Governor to thrive.
To be sure, Senator Gabriel Suswam’s recent strategic roadmap on how the Idoma Governor can emerge is a wakeup call for all and sundry.
Whether he is sincere or not, it is a very good opposing force against the silence and hypocritical postures of Idoma political leaders who are busy making political calculations on how to further suppress the Idoma Governor.
Please, pray that God Almighty causes Zones A and B political leaders like Suswam to make real their extending hands of justice, inclusiveness, love and empathy.
The third prayer point is that God expose those who do not genuinely mean well and are at the forefront of the agitation.
There are so many elements driving the agitation, but all they are working for are their pockets, stomachs, and sell-outs.
Everything for them is laid out and planned.
In fact, there are already signs that the agitation is being reduced to the usual negotiation for political space and high level corruption.
Clearly, these people are beginning to push away the broad vision of the generality of the Benue people.
They are not interested in forming a common ground.
There are visible vested individual interests.
There are so many quarrels, and too little beneficial conversations.
There are also lots of pettiness occasioned by bitter communications.
Consequently, men and women of substance are beginning to raise the chicken leg and relay the Thomas posture.
Please, pray that God purge the leadership of the agitation of all dimensions of self-serving spirit, bitterness and miscommunications.
The fourth prayer point is that God in His mercy provide neutral funding sources that will not make any individual or group of individuals dictate the tune of the agitation.
For the agitation to succeed, the generality of the Benue people must be at its centre as focal drivers.
Essentially, the agitation must be totally devoid of prebendalism and godfatherism.
Please, pray so that no element or group of elements hijack the agitation and turn it into a fool’s venture and enterprise – that God in His infinite mercy make the entire process genuine.
The fifth prayer point is that God raise a governor from among the Idomas who is sincere and genuine.
One thing is to agitate for a governorship position and another is for the governor to deliver on substance.
What the Idoma Governor does with power matters so much. Benue, like most Nigerian states, has not progressed, even under the best historical circumstances.
In other words, where the state has been failing is in the ability to create a government that is visionary, transparent, accountable and for all – one that sincerely serves the people.
Please, pray that God raise a governor from among Idomas with empathic concerns for the Benue people, and by extension, the Nigerian people.
Obviously, as things are now, Idoma as an ethnic nationality does not have a leader.
The sixth and the last prayer point is that the Lord raise a Moses that will lead the Idomas to the Promised Land.
Moses was considered as the Jewish ethnic leader based on three main qualities.
Foremost among the qualities was his sense of justice, which he stuck to no matter the circumstances and consequences.
The second was his ability to see the needs of others and set aside his own.
And lastly, he had an undisputable ability to work under adverse conditions.
Please, pray that God in His infinite mercy raise an ethnic leader for the Idoma people – a leader who is reflective of Moses.
More than ever before, one must recognise the work of God in Idomaland.
And like Elijah did, all and sundry must fervently pray for the heaven to open and bring forth rain.
If we relent now, things might get worse.
The enemies of the land are not sleeping.
They are perpetually awake offering adversarial prayers. Time is growing short!
Dr Onjefu Okidu writes from Ilorin and can be reached at [email protected]
