Elder statesman and critical stakeholder, Engr. Isaac Iyorhen has argued that it is the turn of Ushongo Local Government Area (LGA), one of the two LGAs that comprise Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, to produce a representative for the federal constituency in 2027 “without any argument.”
Engr. Iyorhen, who advanced this position during a press conference organised by the Kwande United Front for Democracy (KUFOD), a pro-democracy group on Saturday, August 2 at Benue Hotels and Resort said, it is a necessary duty on those “who can say it as it is to guide and direct the affairs of our societies in doing what is just, fair and right.”
The elder statesman who went down memory lane to highlight the representation of the Federal constituency since the return to democracy in 1999 stated that “whatever might have been the cause(s) for Kwande LGA to take 3 (three) straight sets of 12 years representation in the House of Representatives seat against their brotherly partner Ushongo LGA, it is time to correct it now going forward.
“I must, of course, state that I am not oblivious of the facts of manipulations for higher political heights by Ushongo players and other subterranean insider tradings that have skewed these latter electoral cycles for the benefit of Kwande.”
According to Engr. Iyorhen, “Kwande LGA can never and should never be seen or continue to be used to marginalise Ushongo LGA in the political power-sharing equation for the House of Representatives seat. Our bond as brothers and interwoven traditional heritage is too strong to be weakened by ordinary structural arrangements in democratic governance.”
He explained that it will only be appropriate, fair and just for equity to reign for Kwande LGA to hands off completely the House of Representatives contest in 2027 leaving it to be an only Ushongo LGA affair on the ballot.
“Any contestant of Kwande origin stalking along will be deemed to be only clapping for the surge of Ushongo contestants.
“It must be stated on record here too that we had stellar representation whenever Ushongo LGA picked up the constituency seat. This is undoubtedly indisputable!. So, we shall only be too glad when this 2027 epoch comes around for Ushongo LGA to pick up its rightful place to give us the desired effective representation in legislative governance,” Engr. Iyorhen counsel.
Beyond that, he said, the excellence of merit, the character of abiding concerns for the welfare of the masses and the quality of proven integrity in leadership are the hallmarks of what the people’s conscience looks forward to from Ushongo for the election.
“It is a duty. Ushongo LGA is not bound to fail. We look forward confidently in trust of our people as they sing in the skyline that Ushongo LGA is picking the bill this time around for the good of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.
“Therefore, go ye all out and proclaim this boldly and fearlessly to the high heavens, on the mountain tops and in the valleys, in every market square and all households of the constituency and all reasonable gatherings that the House of Representatives seat for the 2027 elections is a done deal for Ushongo LGA this time around.
“The gods have also appended their seal of approval in alignment with the earnest wishes of the people,” Engr. Iyorhen charged.
The history of succession to the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency seat is as follows: Hon Mosee Akuha Tir Gbande (1999-2003)- Kwande; Hon Terfa Atii (2003 – 2007) – Ushongo; Hon. Barr. Chile Igbawua (2007 – 2011) – Ushongo; Hon. Col. Benjamin Ityokumba Aboho (2011 – 2015) – Kwande; Hon. Barr. Iorember Wayo (2015 – 2019)- Kwande; Hon. Bob Aondona Tyough (2019 – 2023) – Kwande; and Hon. Terseer Ugbor (2023 – 2027)- Kwande.
Engr. Iyorhen reckons allowing Ushongo LGA to produce the next representative for the Federal Constituency will satisfy the “traditional precepts of moving along together and not alienating anyone behind on account of unfavourable demographic numbers.
“It is a traditional practice embedded firmly in our Tiv culture of ‘gba-Aondo’ (which literally translates as our traditional way of doing things since creation), never to deny, alienate or frustrate any party to a share when its time is due. This is encapsulated in our long-standing historical principle of ‘ ya na angbian ‘, otherwise referred to as ‘ chop and give to your brother in his due season’.”
Other critical stakeholders from the constituency, including Hon. Akumbur Ande, Dr Ahile Ungwanen, Hon Nicholas Kumbur, (President General Kwande Development Association, Makurdi Branch), Hon John Iyo, Hon Maureen Tsav and other prominent Kwande leaders and political stakeholders, academics, community and opinion leaders attended the briefing.
