Ankpa Olamaboro Omala federal constituency is one of the three federal constituencies in Kogi East. Omala is a key player in the determination of who represents them. Its vibrant electorate cannot and should not be taking for granted in the distribution of the Democratic gains. The holder of the office must pay active attention to growth and development of the council. No wonder, the current holder of the office and the Candidate of APC in 2027 general elections, Rt Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Alih Halims has to ease out his tight schedule to showcase his scorecards to the people in a publicized interview on URA TV.
The interview has generated mixed feelings and commentary. The interview which was ordinarily meant to inform the people on what he has been able to do for the people in Omala LG in the last seven years of stewardship in the green Chamber of the National Assembly surreptitiously drew ire and commendation from sections of the populace. The interview in its surface value was harmless and toxic.
But, by the way, we are in election circle , statements are often laden with innuendos. Statements are viewed from different perspectives based on varied interests. Statements are to be verified and certified before crucifixion. Comments and commentators aught to be meticulous in their assessment and not to display emotions. Commentators need to do due diligence on every item mentioned, its location and its existence. Hearsay and ignorance shouldn’t be ground for neither justification nor adulation. It should be verified and analyzed for proper understanding of the fact of the matter. Rushing to the social media shouldn’t be the first option, it should be the last option either.
Social media is an open market, hence, one should be mindful of how to throw stones. The stone you throw today could hurt you later.
Even in politics, no permanent enemy only interest, which swings intermittently.
The materials of the interview should be taken in its proper context. Was the statement merely for image laundry or a demonstration of his ability and capacity to justify the confidence repose on him in the last seven years that will deserves the next votes. This is a tasking question, that every electorate aught to ask by confirming and scrutinizing every line of the interview rather than throwing the dirty bath water with the child
The interview has opened the can for critical commentators to drink from. Yes, in a democratic setting, every one owed a duty to hold views, however the rights should be guided with honour and decorum. The Rights should not be misguided. The Rights should be responsive and supportive. It should enliven constructive debates. The Rights should define apoliticalness. It should define boundaries. It should define finesse and good taste. It is trite that views expressed by an individual defines he or her personality. It wouldn’t leave one the same. It shows who one is . It define charactization of the persona.
Back to the epic interview by Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Alih Halims, aired on URA TV recently. Sitting on the hot seat, he did reeled out his projects in every nooks and crannies of Omala Local Government Areas. This information deserved scrutiny. Let me remind us of what he pointed out in the interview, that went viral on the social media. Honourable Halims did pointed out unequivocally that, his projects were in various communities with names of the projects and their physical location and sublime motions , bills and facilitation of gainful employment for the sons and daughters of Omala.
The Distinguish lawmaker started with satirical boasting of his presence across Omala, that his solar lights were prodigious everywhere. Specifically mentioned that transformers were mounted at Olechu and Okpatala, two years ago, to be energized and connected to National grid. At Abejukolo, two boreholes already pumping clean water to the metropolis, a flash flooding control in front of the family house of Hon. Arome Alfa, senior Special Assistant SSA to the governor costing about #85m, solar powered street lights in Bagana, Bagaji, Okpatala; Icheke, Ibado Akpacha,
He added that as a result of insecurity that plagued the people of Bagana, it’s environs, and Agojeju- Odo he has to cut short his Saudi Arabia trip and returned home to made contacts, move motions which yielded the deployment of military personnels and attraction of over #75M relief materials from National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and his personal cash donations to cushion the effect of the displacement. Others were the bills and motions on the floor of the green Chamber to complete Bagana- Guto Bridge for ease of transportation and opening up of Omala to federal capital Abuja and other parts of the country
Additionally, he constructed classrooms block at Ogodu, got approval to build six classrooms block at Obakume, while Ojiaji, Ola he built three sets of classrooms and rehabilitated some , dug boreholes, and presently rehabilitating 12 kilometers road linking Emekutu to Ola and as soon as fund is released ,contractor, would be mobilized to site.
Halims added that two Omala indigenes are working directly with him , one with the speaker of the House of Representatives, another as his personal assistant for the past seven years.
On the employment generation, he said he has secured 75 slots for the ongoing recruitment of paramilitary establishment, while 45 have been pencil down for Federal Roads Safety Corps FRSC,
Speaking to Treasuretimes in a telephone conversation, he said , this figures are not mystery but physical for everyone to verify, adding that nothing can be truer than the truth, hence , cynics should visit those locations and confirm.
Hon .Halims has given the statistics, he has equally challenge us to prove him otherwise. Watching him on the TV , he spoke from the head and not from a prepared text. He could call remotest village with ease , signifying that his presence was there. He may have been hyperbolic with some projects, but, the truth is that he has his imprints in many villages in Omala.
Let us not forget, he has made the constituency proud by becoming the first House of Representatives member from Ankpa Olamaboro Omala to assume the position of Deputy Majority Leader of the House. The position that has put the constituency on the front burner. The constituency now has a voice in the national politics. Who knows in the next Assembly, if God wills- he may be upgraded.
No doubt that he may have erred with figures and location of some projects, but one thing is certain that those noticeable slips of tongue was not deliberate to bamboozled the people.
He is doing his best , although not tob the expectations of all. That is human, nobody can satisfy all, but the degree matters, and I believe Hon. Halims is projecting the future of Omala. . He deserves your prayers and support not condemnation.
