“It Is Time to Give the Ugondo People the Mandate,” Says Aspirant Makurdi South House of Assembly
Hon. Peter Ushahemba speaking during the campaign rally
By Prosper Okoye
“Ya na angbiam!” “Ya na angbiam!” Hon. Peter Ushahemba says this is the philosophy of a true Tiv man; he translates it to mean: that the ideal Tiv man has a large heart, as he eats and allows his neighbours to also eat.
Hon. Peter who is an aspirant for the Makurdi South Benue state House of Assembly, on the party platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) says the political stakeholders of the Makurdi South constituency, has jettisoned this long-held philosophy of the Tiv people; while speaking on Tuesday, at a political rally held at LGEA Tse-poor, in Makurdi.
“For the past 16 years the Ugondo people have not been allowed to occupy the constituency seat in the statehouse of assembly, neither have we been given any political position despite our great number, and the important roles we play in our community, “he says.
Hon. Peter disclosed that in the ‘spirit of fairness, peace and progress,’ the State APC would support an Ugondo candidate to emerge flag bearer in the state house of assembly elections.
Recounting his youthful achievements in the areas of agriculture and entrepreneurship, Hon. Peter assured his people that he would go beyond making life-changing legislatures for them. He would ensure that their voices are heard and their interests are dully represented when they trust him with their mandate come 2023.
“The world is ruled by men of ideas! And I am a man of ideas. In this dispensation, the time has come for men of ideas to come on board to bring positive ideas that would change the narrative in our political structure, and bring relief to the challenges we are facing in our constituency and in Benue state generally,” Hon. Peter stated.
Addressing the crowd at the rally, the Director-General of Hon. Peter Ushahemba’s campaign team, says they have “been firing the ball off the bar,” that was why their conditions have not changed over the years.
“My people in 2023, we must collect our mandate,” DG, Wilfred Jiagwe charged the crowd of cheerers. He continued,” and there is no one else who can better represent the Ugondo people, rather than our own brother, Hon. Peter Ushahemba.” The crowd went on to clap and cheer.
He says to them that Hon. Peter being a youth like them would focus on youth empowerment programmes, and shall provide both government and private job opportunities for them to enjoy.
Also speaking, Sewuese Mabchin and Ahingir Precious, who spoke on behalf of the women and young ladies respectively, pledged their commitment to achieving the Ugondo 2023 project, by supporting Hon. Peter Ushahemba to victory in the elections.
The chairman of Tse-poor polling unit, kaanen Terna, laments the sense of abandonment the Ugondo people are feeling as a result of the attitude of the current member representing the Makurdi south local government area, towards them.
“Our lands were forcefully collected by the Nigerian Air force; yet, the member representing us did not say a word about it, because he is from another area and is not directly affected,” Mr Terna says.
Hon. Ngutor Dagba, who spoke on behalf of the men, says “this land is the ancestral home of the Ugondo people; therefore we must be given a chance to decide our political fate.”
He advised the crowd to get their voters card ready, as it is the only way to achieve their demands in the 2023 elections.
