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By Ben Atonko
Padre, be strong and of good courage because the battle has started. Real ill will toward you will soar because doubts about your victory have been cleared.
They thought you would never come near emerging candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). They said you are new to party politics so you could not do well in the contest.
When they heard news of your foray into politics, they called you names saying you were only a jackleg political midget and would not be able to pick the party nomination forms.
Now, they are very angry that you are about to cross all the hurdles. From them will emerge a steady stream of acerbic comments against your person and they can be vicious when you finally trash them in the game they claim superiority.
But they cannot say anything new. They will mouth same old tales that do not inspire any listener. Therefore, “Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
For long, life has always put before you challenges and tough decisions. You have been sleepless, feeling the overwhelming weight of the task before you.
This is why you should be strong and courageous. Of course, you are a counsellor, a great teacher and philosopher. You know quite well. You already know what to do in a circumstance like this. Yet I pen down this words for you.
When the die rolls on May 26, 2022, they will be much more vicious in their acerbic comments against you. They will judge and condemn you. Attacks will come from known and unknown sources, from those we expect and those we do not imagine will do it all all. Such is politics.
They won’t like you because they cannot put up with the thought of losing power. For them, politicking is theirs and a do-or-die. They have done it for so long that it has become a way of life for them. Even as their ways are displeasing to the mass of the people, they see nothing wrong with them.
From them, expect not any acclamation for your wonderful work, your selfless service to humanity. There shall be no dithyrambs for you now. Even when you get there and start with a clear show of great work, they will refuse to give you applause because you are an unsightly and painful sore to them.
Nevertheless, for they that are good-natured, you will get their commendation. Indeed, your accolades will come after you leave office. When they sit back to count the gains of your stewardship, they will sing your praises like they do today of the late Aper Aku and the late Rev Fr Moses Adasu.
You will not only win the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket. You will be governor of Benue State because the people have decided and given direction to the party leaders already.
The elders are following the masses. Our party leader, Sen George Akume had told party people that he would follow the course the masses would chart by accepting whoever they offer.
Of course, listening to what the masses are saying, there is nobody but Rev Fr (Dr) Hyacinth Iormem Alia. If it is of the people, for the people, about the people, then it is done already.
Indeed, you have brought excitement and vigour to Benue State politics. Many rallies are held. Artists are composing new political songs. Griots are reinventing old songs to which party supporters are responding. The people are jubilant as they sing their songs, gyrating to highly rhythmic music.
Of course, in politics, one can use anything that comes to mind to tackle an opponent. Those saying the man of God should limit his work to the church will say they want to vote a Godly person into office. They yearn for a God-fearing leader, yet they won’t vote a cleric into office. What an irony!
Always remember, they will throw bricks at you but as a good-tempered man, you will never indulge in their carefully wrought bitterness and recriminations no matter the provocation. So I do this for your enthusiastic and ardent followers who may not want to brook uncharitable comments about you.
Be of good courage for that also is the test of a true leader. Don’t forget, here, honest, upright and hard working people are barred by money bags from ascending positions of power and political leadership.
We pray for you to be able to confront the challenges ahead without fear and with calmness, boldness, confidence, strength and trust. Fare thee well padre! See you on May 26.
