FALL OF A POLITICAL GIANT: EMBATTLED SENATOR ABBA MORO’S DESCENT INTO INFAMY
*A Legacy Tarnished by Controversy of Otukpo-Oju Road Construction
*Edikwu-Ankpali Electrification Debacle
By Morgan Adikwu
The Benue South problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example, which are the hallmarks of true leadership. Senator Abba Moro’s political journey exemplifies this sentiment, as his tenure has been overshadowed by unfulfilled promises and a legacy tainted by controversies.
The once-promising political figure, hailed as a champion of Benue South, now faces mounting criticism for his inability to deliver transformative projects, a hallmark of effective representation. From the Otukpo-Oju Road debacle to the Edikwu-Ankpali electrification fiasco, Moro’s tenure has left his constituents grappling with the bitter truth of unmet expectations.
The controversy surrounding the Otukpo-Oju Road serves as a damning indictment of Senator Moro’s representation. In a recent viral video spotlighting the ₦1.8 billion allocation for constituency projects in the 2024 budget, Moro’s media aide failed to deny the humongous allocation, instead offering an unconvincing defense of his principal’s achievements. The aide’s justification tied the allocation to projects allegedly executed as constituency interventions. However, the Igede Youth Council (IYC) swiftly debunked claims of ongoing construction on the Otukpo-Oju Road, labeling them as baseless propaganda.
Despite repeated assurances, the road remains in a deplorable state, symbolizing years of neglect and failure. While Moro’s defenders argue that legislators lack direct control over project execution, they fail to explain the glaring discrepancy between the budgetary allocations and the absence of tangible results. Unlike other regions where lawmakers influence impactful projects, Benue South continues to suffer from infrastructure decay, undermining the senator’s credibility.
The Edikwu-Ankpali electrification project epitomizes the failures of Senator Moro’s tenure. The electrification, celebrated with much fanfare, collapsed just two weeks after its commissioning. Two years later, the community remains in darkness, a grim reminder of the hollow promises and substandard execution that have come to define Moro’s legacy. This debacle raises critical questions about the senator’s oversight role in ensuring project quality and sustainability.
Unlike the enduring legacy projects, such as the transformative infrastructure initiatives of Senator Ike Ekweremadu in his senatorial district, Moro’s achievements crumble shortly after their unveiling. The inability to deliver impactful and lasting projects underscores a fundamental disconnect between Moro’s rhetoric and the lived realities of his constituents.
Senator Moro’s tenure starkly contrasts with the achievements of other lawmakers who have leveraged their positions to attract federal attention and resources to their regions. In Lagos State, for example, legislators have collaborated with stakeholders to deliver urban renewal projects, showcasing what proactive representation can achieve. Similarly, in other senatorial districts, legacy projects continue to outlive their initiators, serving as enduring monuments of visionary leadership.
In Benue South, however, projects under Moro’s watch either collapse shortly after commissioning or fail to materialize altogether. This pattern of mediocrity extends beyond infrastructure to critical sectors such as agriculture, youth empowerment, and industrial development, where Moro’s contributions remain negligible. Constituency allocations that could have driven economic growth and job creation have instead been squandered on projects that fail to meet their intended purposes.
Effective legislators are expected to play a crucial role in monitoring and influencing the execution of constituency projects. Through diligent oversight and strategic advocacy, they ensure that allocations translate into impactful development. However, Moro’s tenure has been characterized by a lack of oversight, with many considering constituency funds as slush funds rather than tools for transformative development.
Moro’s media aide, in a misguided defense, accused critics of ignoring the failures of the executive branch while unfairly targeting lawmakers. This argument betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of representative democracy, where legislators are not only lawmakers but also advocates for their constituents’ developmental needs. Had Moro performed his role diligently, Benue South would have witnessed transformative strides, particularly given the staggering allocations at his disposal.
Senator Abba Moro’s descent into infamy serves as a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential and squandered opportunities. From the Otukpo-Oju Road to the Edikwu-Ankpali electrification project, his tenure has been marked by failures that starkly contrast with the enduring achievements of the founding fathers. Benue South deserves leaders who will champion its cause with vision and integrity, delivering legacy projects that outlive their tenure and uplift their communities.
As Moro approaches the twilight of his political career, his constituents are left grappling with the stark reality of a wasted opportunity. The senator who once promised to be an ambassador for Benue South has instead become a symbol of its stagnation. It is time for Benue South to demand better—a new era of leadership that prioritizes transformative development over fleeting political expediency.
