A former member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Francis Ottah Agbo, has faulted the recent endorsement of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the Benue Rebirth Movement (BRM) National Cordinatio, AVM Monday Morgan (rtd), as the preferred political platform for Idoma and Igede people ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ottah Agbo was reacting to a declaration by the former Chief of Defence Intelligence and leader of the BRM, Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan (rtd), who urged the Idoma and Igede to rally behind the ADC in their political quest.
While expressing respect for Morgan’s service to the country, the former lawmaker insisted that history had shown that the Idoma people thrive better when they align with mainstream political parties rather than opposition platforms.
“I like and respect AVM Monday Morgan for his services to our country. And I know he knows that Idoma, as a people, always thrive more in the mainstream political system,” Ottah Agbo said.
Drawing from historical antecedents, he recalled that during the First Republic, Idoma leaders aligned with the then Northern People’s Congress (NPC), a move he said brought development and political relevance to the area.
“In the First Republic, Chief J.C. Obande, Chief Abutu Obekpa and others, under the leadership of the legendary Premier Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Chief Ogiri Okoh, took us to the centre by aligning with the NPC.
That decision led to the smooth take-off of Otukpo as one of the fastest-growing towns in the North,” he stated.
He added that while the political climate has changed since then, the underlying principle of engaging in national politics remains relevant.
Ottah Agbo clarified that he was not insisting that the BRM must adopt the APC as an Idoma party but maintained that if the ethnic group must rally behind a political platform, it should not be one without national spread.
“I am not insisting that BRM should adopt APC as the Idoma party, as today is different from the First Republic. But if we must adopt a party as a people, it should not be ADC. It should be APC because it has national spread. It is easier to take the bacon home from Abuja when we speak and play national politics,” he said.
He further referenced the counsel of former Senate President, Senator David Mark, who had advised the Idoma people against aligning with opposition parties.
According to him, the debate over whether the gains recorded during the First Republic were sustained in subsequent republics remains a separate issue.
“Whether or not the NPC-induced development in Otukpo was sustained in the Third and Fourth Republics is another kettle of fish and a discussion for another day,” he noted.
Ottah Agbo concluded by urging the BRM to remain politically neutral if it hopes to regain credibility and relevance.
“Seriously speaking, for BRM to regain its lost ground and sustain its credibility, it must belong to every political party and belong to none in particular,” he added.