ADAMA JOSEPH ADAMA: THE NEED FOR JUSTICE*, *EQUITY AND FAIRNESS. By Don Peter Okoro
Even though the elections have come and gone and winners and losers have emerged, it is imperative for the populace to sit back and take a retrospective look at all that transpired in the course of the politicking. This is very important in order to avoid future mistakes and avoid certain misconceptions.Let us take the case of Apa/ Agatu Federal Constituency as a Case Study.
Despite the overwhelming evidence in his favour as the Winner of the APC primary election for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Hon. Adama Joseph Adama was still denied the mandate. He went to court to seek justice even to the Supreme Court. But the party leaders prevailed on Hon. Adama to withdraw his case from court. He accepted and withdrew his case against the then Incumbent, Hon Godday Samuel due to the intervention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Benue State Leaders. This he did in the interest of the party and for peace to reign and not necessarily because he had a bad case or that he had no chance of winning the case. He did this because people like Senator George Akume, Chief Audu Ogbe and the present Governor of the State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia prevailed on him to do so.
The main issue to be looked at here is that of Justice, Equity and Fairness between Apa and Agatu, the two LGAs that make up the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives.
The facts of the matter are as follows: The 1999 election started on a clean slate. Honourable Solomon Agidani who won the Federal House of Representatives election is from Agatu LGA. He went on to win 3 consecutive elections that had him stay in the exalted office for 12years. He still went ahead to contest for a 4th term before he was defeated by Hon. Ademu Entonu from Apa LGA.
Hon. Entonu won 2 terms and spent 8years.
He went to the polls for a 3rd term, but was defeated by Hon.Godday from Agatu in the 2019 general elections. Hon Godday ran for second term and lost in the 2023 general election. Hon. Ojotu Ojema from the same Agatu LGA won the election to complete the second term (8years) which means that Agatu is having 20 years as against Apa LGA that has had only 8years.
So, where then is the Justice, Equity and Fairness in this?
In standard political settings, when a Politician or an Aspirant steps down in the interest of the party and for peace to reign, such a Politician or Aspirant is to be granted the right of first refusal when political patronages and appointments are being considered. This is the aspect the Stakeholders and all the lovers of peace and justice within the Party hierarchy should bear in mind, moving forward.
Hon. Adama Joseph Adama tick the boxes for party loyalty, spirit of sportsmanship and patience. He was denied a House of Representatives ticket. He was asked to withdraw his case from the Supreme Court. He spent 30 days campaigning day and night for his party, the APC to win in Apa and Agatu LGAs. He spent his hard earned money and delivered victory for his LGA.
But he’s yet to be recognized for his contributions. Hon. Adama has not been given any political appointment till date.
In his word “I’m not frustrated and bitter towards anyone. I’m not deterred but relentless. I will continue to be loyal to my Political Leader and Mentor, Senator George Akume, my father, Elder Simon Shango, Mummy Regina Akume and my Capacity State Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada, my Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Iormem Alia and Deputy Governor, Chief Sam Ode and all the leaders of our great party. I’m a Servant and have no entitlement mentality.”
But close political Observers are already agitating and seeking justice for Hon. Adama Joseph Adama because of his great contributions to the party’s success at the just concluded general elections.
