By Godwin Anyebe

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The quest for a paradigm shift in the representation of the Benue South Senatorial District gained significant momentum today as sons and daughters of the district gathered in Lagos for a high-stakes consultative meeting. Organized by Comrade Ngbede Olofu, the gathering served as a rallying point for constituents who expressed a shared fatigue with the status quo and a burning desire to redefine the political and developmental trajectory of the Idoma nation.

​Opening the floor, Honourable John Ngbede emphasized that the Lagos meeting was a continuation of a successful strategic engagement that began in Abuja. He noted that consultation is the lifeblood of effective politics, serving as the bridge between leadership and the yearnings of the grassroots.

​Presenting the guest of honor, Dr. David Olofu, an aspirant under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ngbede described him as a “very approachable and gentle man” whose entry into the race was a direct response to the pleas of stakeholders.

​”We are not here to talk about zoning formulas,” Ngbede declared. “We are here to talk about experience and capacity. Dr. Olofu is a well-read fellow who possesses the intellectual depth and emotional intelligence required to represent the Idoma people with dignity at the Red Chambers.”

​Taking the podium amidst cheers from stakeholders representing all nine local government areas of Benue South, Dr. David Olofu began with a note of gratitude. “This is the kind of Benue South I look forward to, where no one is left behind,” he said.

​Dr. Olofu, who served as the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Benue State (2015–2023), drew from his deep well of experience in public finance to articulate a vision of “Resource-based Industrialization.”

He noted that while the district is endowed with vast agricultural land and human capital, it remains shackled by “structural poverty” that can only be broken through a focused, enterprise-driven approach.

​”There is no true son of Benue who is happy with what is happening at home,” Olofu remarked. “After due consultation with elders and intellectuals like Professor David Salefu, Comrade John Ngbede among others, I have accepted the mantle to change the narrative. I have toured our local governments and received overwhelming support. I promise you today: I will not disappoint.”

​Central to Dr. Olofu’s pitch was a comprehensive 12-Point Agenda anchored on the four pillars of People, Power, Prosperity, and Progress. Key highlights from the agenda include:

​Education & STEAM: A commitment to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, including the establishment of standard science labs and public libraries in every LG headquarters.

​Healthcare Reform: Rehabilitating Primary Healthcare Centres and enrolling indigent constituents into the National Health Insurance scheme.

​ICT & Digital Inclusion: Establishing ICT hubs to connect local talent to global markets, ensuring Benue South is not left behind in the digital economy.

​Infrastructure: Modernizing Master Plans for LG headquarters and prioritizing rural road upgrades to facilitate the movement of agricultural goods.

​Local Government Reforms: Advocating for stronger autonomy and institutional capacity at the grassroots level.

​Inclusive Governance: The establishment of a Benue South Peoples Assembly and a People’s Council to ensure non-partisan participation in budget tracking and project monitoring.

​Economic Empowerment: Facilitating entrepreneurship training, cooperative models, and agro-processing clusters (including solar drying hubs) at the ward level.

​Women and Youth: Constructing Skill Acquisition Centres and mini-sports complexes to harness the energy of the youth and empower women through enterprise support.

​Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Olofu credited his upbringing and the mentorship of leaders like Honourable George Akume for shaping his commitment to public service. He emphasized that his ambition is not for personal gain but to create a platform for the next generation.

​”From the fertile banks of the River Benue in Apa and Agatu to the rolling hills of Oju and Obi, we are sitting on a reserve of wealth,” Olofu concluded. “Our goal is to convert that potential into shared prosperity, the kind that strengthens family values and creates an inter-generational legacy.”

​As the meeting concluded, the atmosphere was one of renewed hope. For the stakeholders present, the “Lagos Declaration” marked a decisive step toward a new era where competence, rather than sentiment, dictates the future of Benue South.

Godwin Anyebe is a Journalist of Idoma Extraction.