In politics, ideological differences are inevitable, but the ability to maintain relationships, build bridges and remain relevant across changing political seasons is a quality that sets some actors apart. Job Terngohol Tsegha appears to understand this.
Some years ago, someone told Job, in my presence, that I was opposed to everything he represented and questioned why he should associate with me. I heard the conversation, including Job’s positive response. I am not sure they knew I heard them. But I deliberately ignored the man’s comment in a manner that suggested I knew he had said something funny.
Job needed Gbache, and I had some. He had called to buy it. The man did not have what Job needed. Apparently, he forgot that I had what he did not have and his comment. That little encounter said something about Job’s ability to look beyond perceived differences.
Job first came into prominence during the administration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, serving as an aide in the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under Prince Solomon Wombo. He remained loyal to Dr Suswam through the political journey from PDP to ADC and eventually APC. His loyalty was not shaken by the fact that some of his former associates chose different political paths.
Beyond party affiliations, Job built relationships and developed a grassroots mobilisation network that has continued to give him political relevance. His approach to politics and life has earned him a following and kept him connected to people across political divides.
Now, as Principal Special Assistant to Fr Hyacinth Alia on Power, Job has another opportunity to translate political experience into public service. His appointment comes at a significant moment, following the deregulation of the electricity sector and the enactment of the Benue State Electricity Law, which provides the legal framework for electricity generation, transmission and distribution within the state.
The challenge is to help translate this framework into reliable electricity that supports businesses, attracts investment, creates employment and improves living conditions. This requires practical partnerships, viable projects and a clear strategy for expanding electricity access.
Job’s longstanding association with Dr Suswam, who has maintained an interest in the power sector since his days in the National Assembly, could also prove useful. That political connection, combined with his experience in grassroots mobilisation, offers an opportunity to build partnerships that transcend party lines and advance the state’s electricity ambitions.
At the inauguration of the Tinubu/Alia Campaign Council at IB Square, Makurdi, recently, a voice was heard remarking that people were still seeking Job’s attention. It was a reminder that political relevance is often sustained by relationships built over time. With Dr Suswam now fully involved in the Fr Alia political project, Job could help reconnect old networks and strengthen mobilisation ahead of 2027.
But beyond campaigns and political calculations, the real measure of Job Tsea’s present assignment will be what he helps deliver. Political appointments are temporary; the lives touched and opportunities created through them are what endure.
For a man who has spent years building political relationships and mobilising at the grassroots, the power portfolio presents an opportunity to turn that experience into something tangible: Electricity that powers businesses, supports industries and gives ordinary residents a better quality of life.
Ultimately, Benue will judge Job not by the number of political connections he can reactivate or the crowds he can mobilise, but by the results he helps deliver. That is where loyalty must meet performance, and political relevance must translate into public value.
