OKPOGA DISTRICT: THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN COURTED BY MANY SUITORS, BUT NEVER MARRIED

 

By Edward Ejembi Omaga, Esq. – An Okpoga Son, Lawyer and Public Interest Personality

Okpoga District stands today as a paradox — a community blessed with history, intellect and leadership, yet consistently denied political reward. Since 1976, when it was chosen as the headquarters of Old Okpokwu Local Government Area in Benue State, Okpoga has remained the administrative seat without a share of true power — the beautiful woman courted by many suitors but never married.

Long before independence, Okpoga was the radiant jewel of Idoma land. It served as the headquarters of the Idoma Native Authority in the early 1900s — a cradle of civilisation and governance. From it, the now thriving Ado and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas were carved out in 1991, making Okpoga the mother of Idoma South (popularly called Enone).

Despite its centrality, peace-loving nature, and contribution to regional development, Okpoga has remained sidelined. Every election season, politicians make promises of inclusion and fairness but return to the old pattern of neglect once power is won. For nearly five decades, Okpoga has been without representation at the National Assembly.

Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the House of Representatives seat for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency has rotated among the three Local Government Areas. Ado took the first turn with Hon. Samuel Obande (1999–2003), followed by Okpokwu’s Hon. David Onobi Idoko (2003–2011), and then Ogbadibo’s Hon. Hassan Saleh (2011–2019). The pendulum swung back to Ado with Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo (2019–2023) and continues there with Hon. Philip Agbese (2023–present).

This clear pattern of rotation now favours Okpokwu Local Government Area in 2027. Within Okpokwu, justice and fairness point unmistakably to Okpoga, the headquarters and traditional capital of Enone. As the mother community that birthed and nurtured Ado and Ogbadibo, Okpoga deserves to finally taste the fruit of its labour.

To deny Okpoga this opportunity is to perpetuate a historical injustice — to keep the bride forever waiting at the altar of power. The zoning arrangement favours Okpokwu, and by logic and moral equity, the lot falls on Okpoga. As 2027 approaches, the conscience of Enone people must awaken. Okpoga’s story is one of service without recognition, loyalty without reward, and beauty without marriage. It is time to right this wrong!

All political, traditional and religious leaders of Enone extraction must work together to ensure that Okpoga produces the next House of Representatives Member. Only then will justice be seen to have been done — and the beautiful woman, long courted but never married, shall at last find her rightful husband.

END