Recently, Andrew Obeya has resurfaced with his familiar pattern of reckless commentary, once again attempting to disparage Senator Abba Moro under the guise of public accountability. While constructive criticism is vital in any democracy, what Obeya offers is neither factual nor sincere, it is a cocktail of falsehoods, political blackmail, and incoherent ramblings designed to demarket a distinguished legislator for selfish ends.
At the heart of Obeya’s latest rant is Senator Moro’s forthright stand on the recent crisis in the Benue State House of Assembly, where the elected Speaker was unceremoniously removed in a manner widely condemned as undemocratic. Senator Moro, as Minority Leader of the Senate, rightly described the governor’s actions as derogatory and high-handed, warning that such suppression of dissenting voices sets a dangerous precedent for democracy.
He equally applauded the Assembly for upholding the people’s wishes when they rejected two commissioner nominees burdened by public petitions, calling it an example of democracy in action. This is the record; Senator Moro stood for principle, defended institutions, and gave voice to the people. To dismiss such courageous interventions as opportunism only betrays the Obeya’s own bias, not any fault of the Senator.
Obeya’s further attempt to drag Senator Moro over supposed silence on issues such as the harassment of Senator Natasha Akpoti or the conduct of certain opposition figures reflects his ignorance of how the National Assembly functions. The Senate is governed by strict rules, and matters under litigation cannot be subjected to grandstanding on the floor without breaching due process.
As Minority Leader, Senator Moro has been up and doing, moving motions, lobbying, and consistently drawing attention to national unity, insecurity, and governance. What Obeya calls silence is in fact respect for law and procedure, something any serious advocate of democracy ought to understand.
Equally dishonest is Obeya’s fabrication about constituency project allocations. In a viral video of 18th January 2025, Andrew Obeya himself confirmed that Senator Moro’s constituency projects for 2024 were budgeted at ₦1.8 billion. Yet, the same man has now turned around to claim “over ₦5 billion,” and in his imagination, he has further multiplied it to ₦10 billion for 2025. Such contradictions expose him as a barefaced liar who fabricates figures to suit his hatchet job. A man who shifts numbers at will cannot be trusted. He should be disregarded by the public as one driven by fantasy, not facts.
Indeed, Obeya’s own rating betrays him. For a man notorious for blackmail, lies, and mischief to still grudgingly score Senator Moro 30% in constituency projects is itself a loud testimony. It shows that even in his cynicism, he cannot completely erase Abba’s impact. Given that capital project allocations are rarely 100% released, Abba’s delivery speaks louder than the words of his detractors.
Among the Idoma, there is a proverb about Ena’, a word that serves as a homophone, meaning both cattle and scorpion depending on context. When a person slaughters a Fulani Ena’ (cow) for an occasion, cynics may still downplay it as if he had only killed the stinging Ena’ (scorpion). That is the case with Andrew Obeya, no matter the magnitude of Abba’s contributions, he reduces them to nothing, just because he cannot bring himself to acknowledge good where good is evident.
The emptiness of the messenger is even more glaring. Obeya has contributed nothing tangible to the growth or unity of his own community, yet positions himself as a self-appointed crusader against a man whose achievements are verifiable.
Unlike Obeya’s incoherent presentations that often leave even his listeners questioning his rationality, Senator Abba Moro’s record is measurable in road infrastructure, electricity projects, educational facilities, boreholes, youth and women empowerment, as well as consistent advocacy for national policies like the North Central Development Commission to tackle insecurity at its roots.
Beyond constituency projects, his interventions in national debates, from electoral reforms to the defense of democratic institutions, have put Benue South on the front burner of national discourse.
The pattern is now too clear to ignore, Andrew Obeya thrives on noise, lies, and political sentiment. He inflates figures today, contradicts himself tomorrow, and calls it accountability. This is not accountability. True accountability is fact-based, consistent, and constructive—qualities Obeya sorely lacks. His antics are nothing more than media hooliganism designed to distract from the real work of governance.
Senator Abba Moro does not need propaganda to defend his record. His verifiable contributions in Benue South and Nigeria at large, in infrastructure, education, healthcare, empowerment, security advocacy, and the defense of democracy, are proofs to his service. History and facts, not the fantasies of individuals driven by selfish motives, will be the true judge of his record.
As Accountability and Development Advocates (ADA), we reaffirm that political discourse must be anchored on truth, fairness, and development. We urge the public to treat Andrew Obeya’s desperate blackmail with the disdain it deserves. Nigeria’s democracy deserves better than lies dressed as advocacy.
Signed,
Anthony Odihi
Convener ADA
