As the 2023 General Elections draw closer, the need for men of good conscience to commence in earnest a search for credible men and women that will represent their collective destinies in the National Assembly cannot overemphasized.
And for Ankpa Federal Constituency in Kogi State, as old as it is, has not been so lucky to have had an above average performances of its representatives in the green chamber, needs a more comprehensive search for credible individual who is loaded with antecedents of selfless service to the constituency and humanity.
However, the search, wouldn’t be a problem to find as Mr. Musa Omata Stephen, a son of the soil, succinctly challenge political leaders across all the divides to beam their searchlights on the earstwhile Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Kogi State Council, Mr Onuh Edoka to step into the ring to make the difference for the people.
That Ankpa Federal constituency needs a man of courage and boldness to be the voice of the people in the next dispensation cannot be over-emphasized.
Without mincing words, Comr. Onuh Edoka has built trust and confidence and has remained untainted even amidst a society where people get carried away by the paraphanalia of office is what stands him out.
This write-up therefore seeks to appeal to the present NLC Chairman and for the people of Ankpa Federal Constituency in Kogi State to start a new discussion ahead 2023.
There is no doubt today that any keen observer of the developments in Ankpa Federal Constituency, made up of Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala LGAs, will definitely agree that since the advent of the nation’s current democracy, the area has not had a fair representation.
This is the reason why it has become expedient for partriotic indigenes of the constituency to begin a thorough and sincere search for who represent the constituency in 2023.
While it is fair to say that past representatives from the constituency may have done their best without mincing words, when compared with the best other areas have paraded, Ankpa Federal constituency no doubt lags behind.
It is today a reality that the lackluster performances by politicians and representation in the past dispensations, has no doubt raised the bar that the next dispensation is said to be one that will be a defining moments, as constituencies would no doubt be fielding their best eleven, and Ankpa Federal Constituency should not be left behind in the search for what many think should be the best irrespective of political divide.
Indeed the convergence of opinions points to Comr. Onuh Edoka, the current Kogi State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress to serve the people of Ankpa Federal Constituency
A man described as having brought to bear courage, resilience and outspokenness in the fight for the common man, particularly, the Kogi state workers. Without overstating the obvious, Edoka can be regarded as one of the most successful and accomplished Labour Leaders the State has had when juxtaposed with his stand to speaking to authority, and in ensuring that in the face of the powers that be trampling and muzzling the labour force, he has remained unwavering.
For the labour sector in Kogi State just like it is in Nigeria as a whole, it is right to say that it was the untireless efforts of Edoka, a crusader, labour strategies, one who believes in fighting the worthy causes of workers that has made the sector in Kogi State to still remain a solid rock of Gibraltar.
For many, what is needed in representing a federal constituency which is rich in human and natural resources, but yet to have attained its potentials, like the Ankpa Federal constituency is to have a man of courage, who can agitate for the people by being outspoken, is what has been lacking.
As a labour leader, who has carried the burden of the Kogi Workers in the last couple of years, he has been a selfless leader, sacrificing his comfort and overtures that would have made him rich, stands Comr. Edoka out.
A silent performer and a formidable force to reckon with when it comes to negotiating for the people, many are of the views that for Comr. Edoka, Yes a successful labour leader, the time to step out even though he has never been a politician should be now.
After all, professional politicians were never born. As such, having had an exemplary leadership style that has marked him out, distinguished him amongst genuine crusaders, that Comr. Edoka has endeared himself into the hearts of the people is not out of place.
This is reason why the call to have him, to speak for the people of Ankpa Federal Constituency should now begin to be a strong priority by well meaning citizens.
According to Josiah Gilbert Holland, “a time like this demands men whom the lust of position does not kill, men whom the spoils of elective office cannot buy. Men who possess opinion and a will. Men who have honour. Men who will not lie. Men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flattering without winking. Strong men, sun crowned who live above the fog in public duty and a private thinking. In Ankpa Federal Constituency, Comr. Onuh Edoka is such a man.
It is painful that Ankpa Federal Constituency, an area that has the potentials of being the food basket of Kogi State is now a shadow of itself. It is unfortunate that in the first and second republic, the constituency that produced the best representation is now a laughing stock. It is more worrisome that the advantage of the area producing top academics, scholars, administrators over time, has now become a mirage.
While to many, the story of Ankpa Federal Constituency is all about Lamentations, with the area now relegated to the background, it is in the opinion of many that once the right man emerges, those tales would become testimony and a new song.
It is now a fact of history when viewed against his positive impact that Comr. Edoka is a considered as a comrade with no barriers. Has walked tall to success, with the thinking by majority that he should be dragged into what many term, the murky waters of politics, to come and make the difference.
Comr. Edoka’s lofty ambition to conquer greater heights in ensuring that Kogi workers, their families and dependents get what is their rightful dues, speak the minds of Kogi people, has pleased the people and now to his advantage, reasons why it is therefore not out of place to begin to look in the direction of Comr. Edoka.
Having proven to be a leading light, a leader who has led by example and good deeds, for Comr. Edoka, it is now expedient to begin to rethink new platforms outside the labour union that would help improve on the lives of people of his Federal Constituency.
Looking at his steadfastness and uncompromising leadership style which is about the people and their welfare, that Comr. Edoka’s loyalty to the cause of the down trodden has been consistent, makes him a man worthy of emulation, and should be encouraged to look into other areas that he can best serve his people.
Therefore as 2023 inches closer, while it is important to salute Comr. Edoka’s firmness, industry, justice, forthrightness and above all his humility, courage, philanthropic gestures and generosity, it is an appeal to him and to the people, that having him to represent Ankpa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives would no doubt afford them the opportunity to continue to drink from his reservoir of selfless service and all round development which his representation will certainly attract.