SENATOR ABBA MORO: IT IS TIME TO GO HOME BY CLEOPAS AGADA

Years in the National Assembly, what has Benue South actually felt? For a man who rose to national prominence on the back of a national tragedy, Senator Abba Moro’s continued stay in the Senate has become a symbol of recycling, stagnation and non-performance.

Benue South, the Idoma nation, deserves more than a senator whose name is more associated with press statements than with projects, more associated with Abuja politics than with home development.

THE IMMIGRATION SAGA THAT NIGERIA CANNOT FORGET

We cannot write the story of Abba Moro without writing the darkest chapter. On March 15, 2014, as Minister of Interior under President Goodluck Jonathan, Abba Moro presided over the infamous Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise.

Young Nigerians, tens of thousands of unemployed graduates desperate for a job, were gathered in stadiums across the country. In their desperation, they paid N1, 000 each for application. The organization was chaotic, inhumane and deadly. At the end of that day, over 20 innocent Nigerian youths died in stampedes in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Minna and other centres. Scores were injured.

It was a national scandal that drew international condemnation. Families are yet to recover. Till today, that tragedy remains a permanent stain on his public service record.

SEVEN YEARS OF WHAT EXACTLY

Since 2019 when he went to the Senate, and now serving his second term (2019-2027), the question on the streets of Otukpo, Oju, Obi, Ado, Okpokwu, Apa, Agatu, Ohimini and Ogbadja is simple: Where are the dividends of democracy?

DAVID MARK VS ABBA MORO: THE REAL SCORECARD

To understand Abba Moro’s failure, look at what he inherited and what he did with it:

1. THE OTOBI-AKPA DAM LEGACY VS FAILURE:

Senator David Mark initiated the Dam at Otobi-Akpa as one of his greatest legacy projects. The purpose was clear: It was to stop the sufferings of the people from hardship and lack of water in Otukpo and its environs. It is even big enough to generate power for the area if it is completed and commissioned.

Today, the Federal Government is really not making further payments on that contract. The project is abandoned, contractor has left site. Otukpo people are back to buying water from tankers.

What has Abba Moro, as Senate Minority Leader who sits on budget committees, done to push for its completion? No motion. No lobbying. No budget insertion. He allowed a multi-billion naira legacy that would have solved water and power for Otukpo to die.

2. THE OWETO/LOKO BRIDGE LEGACY VS FAILURE:

David Mark lobbied for the Oweto/Loko Bridge which today serves as a gateway between the North and the South and opened up Agatu to the rest of Nigeria. Before this bridge, Agatu was hitherto a closed enclave. Today, economic activities flourish in Oweto market and other markets in Agatu.

What did Abba Moro do to consolidate? He did nothing. No link roads from Oweto to interior Agatu. No federal market infrastructure. No strong voice to attract security intervention despite herdsmen killings in Agatu, Apa and Oju. The bridge is there, but the dividends that should follow are missing.

3. FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, OTUKPO (FUHSO) VS NO NEW INSTITUTION:

David Mark attracted FUHSO, bringing development, jobs and students to Otukpo. In seven years, Abba Moro cannot point to one new federal institution, cannot even secure a Teaching Hospital for FUHSO, and cannot attract one transformative signature project that has changed the economic fortune of Zone C.

4. FEDERAL JOBS VS HANDOUTS:

Mark used his position as Senate President to give Idoma sons and daughters federal appointments and national visibility.

Abba Moro’s model is handouts: motorcycles, grinding machines and N20, 000. Our youths need jobs, functional skills acquisition centres linked to industries, and federal appointments. Compare to a fresher like Senator David Jimkuta of Taraba South who in less than two years empowered over 1,000 constituents with cars, motorcycles, refrigerators and business tools. Benue South has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the North Central.

5. LEGISLATIVE SILENCE AND DISCONNECTED LEADERSHIP:

In the 9th and 10th Assembly, his legislative contributions have been largely pedestrian. No landmark bill for the economic liberation of Benue South, no strong advocacy that has brought federal intervention to killings in Apa, Agatu and Oju. A senator should be at home, but Abba Moro’s politics is Abuja-centric.

THE JUDGEMENT TABLE FOR EVERY IDOMA SON AND DAUGHTER

DAVID MARK ACHIEVEMENTS   ABBA MORO FAILURES

FUHSO: Established Federal University in Otukpo.

No Institution: No new federal institution in 7 years

Oweto/Loko Bridge: Opened up Agatu, gateway North-South, boom in Oweto market

Failed to Consolidate: No link roads, no security for Agatu/Apa

Otobi-Akpa Dam: Initiated dam to stop water hardship in Otukpo, big enough to generate power Abandoned Dam: FG stopped payments, contractor left, Otukpo back to tanker water. No motion from Minority Leader to revive it

Federal Appointments: Gave Idoma jobs and national voice Handouts: Motorcycles and N20k, no jobs

Respected Zone C Nationally

Abuja Press Statements

BENUE SOUTH NEEDS A NEW VOICE

The Idoma nation is blessed with brilliant, younger, more dynamic leaders. Idoma Renaissance, led by Johnson Ogwuche and Philip Okoh, has made it clear: “It is no longer business as usual. Any non-performing lawmaker will not be voted in 2027.

2027 is not far. Senator Abba Moro has served as Minister and two terms in Senate. It is time to go home, rest, and allow a new generation with fresh ideas, clean hands, and genuine love for the land to take Zone C to the Promised Land.

Benue South cannot afford another four years of motion without movement.