The slogan, Kohol Alia, literally means “Team up with Fr. Alia (the Governor of Benue State for Sustainable Development). In the Tiv worldview, it means collecting what remains of the whole. Look at it this way: After scooping the entire soup into a pot of soup, what is left is “alia-” an infinitessimal part of the whole.
Now, someone runs up to you, asking for soup. “Oh! My soup just got finished,” says the owner of the pot of soup. “Never mind, bring the pot of soup, I will make do with ‘alia,’ the man in need returns.
Kohol could be to “gather,” “meet,” or “team up.”
“You’ve met (kohol) me well,” says the man who is having lunch at his table. Kohol Alia, therefore, implies gathering all that is left of the Benue pot of soup in the overriding interest of the public.
According to popular opinion, the thinking in Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency is that the next representative of the constituency comes from Ushongo, one of the two Local Government Areas (LGAs) that comprise it.
By 2027, it would have been 16 uninterrupted years that Kwande LGA had been representing the constituency at the National Assembly. The last time it came to Ushongo – Mbagwa and Mata- was in 2007 (Mbagwa-Ushongo, through Barr. Chile Igbawua), after Ushongo’s first shot in 2003 (Ushongo – Mata), since the return to democracy in the country in 1999.
Perhaps, within the context of Ushongo LGA, both Mata and Mbagwa have even scores in terms of representation of Kwande/Ushongo. Therefore, who will represent Kwamde/Ushongo in 2027? Popular opinion suggests that Ushongo should put forward its best for the job.
Prof Kohol Iornem has put his foot forward. An accomplished Director of Executive Education and Professor of Business Management with over 15 years of experience, Prof. Kohol is passionate about supporting widows and orphans, especially those living in rural communities.
He has witnessed firsthand how effective systems, laws, and infrastructure are maintained for the betterment of citizens. He is, therefore, duty-bound to bring his experience and knowledge back home to serve the people of the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. This is his assurance.
Prof. Kohol believes that Kwande and Ushongo deserve the best representation, and that is exactly what he is offering. He is confident that effective representation means:
1. Speaking up for your people
2. Defending your people
3. Bringing all the dividends for your people
4. Listening to the concerns of your people
5. Collaborating with critical stakeholders to attract opportunities and support for your constituents.
As per Engr. Isaac Iyorhen, Convener Kwande Reb,irth Forum, “the best foot shall be taken. We shall never again allow mediocres of unsound credentials to continue dragging us below.” Beyond that, he thinks Prof Kohol fits that role because he “is all about a pedigree of excellence and proven capacity to change the tardy rumble for impressive dividends.”
According to Engr. Iorhen, Prof Kohol has been serving the people “very well with the little he ekes on his own, he will surely do more in an elevated public service position. We are therefore duty-bound to raise him higher to his aspiration for the House of Representatives seat for Kwande/ Ushongo constituency,” for a rebirth.
By the way, Kwande/Ushongo constituents have always “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 concern for the welfare of the masses, and the quality of proven integrity in leadership are the hallmarks of what the people of conscience look forward to from Ushongo in the election.
In view of the future that lies ahead, Kwande/Ushongo stands a chance to bequeath a brighter future even for generations yet unborn if they ‘Kohol Alia’ and vote Prof. Kohol Iornem as their representative in 2027.
