Benue NDC Assembly candidate unveils three-point agenda

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The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the Benue State House of Assembly, Ado State Constituency, Hon. Mike Ogaba-Ojah, has unveiled a three-point agenda anchored on job creation, improved security and infrastructure development ahead of the 2027 election.

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Ogaba-Ojah, who said his decision to contest was influenced by calls from constituents for him to offer himself for service, disclosed his agenda in an interview with Arewa PUNCH on Monday.

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The politician said his proposed legislative agenda was developed around what he identified as some of the major challenges confronting residents of Ado State Constituency, particularly unemployment, insecurity, poor access to markets and inadequate basic infrastructure.

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The 2027 general elections are expected to provide an opportunity for voters across the country to elect representatives at the state and federal levels, with candidates already beginning to articulate their programmes and mobilise support ahead of the polls.

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In Benue State, the House of Assembly remains a critical arm of government in making laws, approving budgets and exercising oversight over the executive, while lawmakers also use their legislative positions to push issues affecting their constituencies.

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Against this backdrop, Ogaba-Ojah said his ambition was driven by the need to provide what he described as practical and result-oriented representation for the people of Ado.

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He said his legislative priorities, if elected, would focus on addressing what he described as the three major challenges confronting the people of the constituency—unemployment, crime and insecurity.

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The candidate said he would sponsor an Agro-Processing Hub Bill aimed at encouraging the processing of agricultural produce within the constituency instead of selling raw farm products outside the area.

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According to him, local processing would create employment opportunities, increase farmers’ earnings and give young people opportunities to participate in the agricultural value chain.

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He stressed, “To fight unemployment, crime and insecurity, I will sponsor three bills. The first is the Agro-Processing Hub Bill to create jobs by processing our farm produce here instead of selling it raw.

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“More value means more income for farmers and our youths.”

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Ogaba-Ojah also promised to sponsor a Multi-Functional Skills Acquisition Centre Bill to establish centres where young people could acquire practical skills in areas including welding, tailoring, solar technology and agro-machinery.

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He said beneficiaries would also be provided with starter tools to enable them to establish businesses after their training.

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“Skills mean jobs and jobs mean less crime,” he posited.

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On insecurity, the NDC candidate said he would sponsor a Community Policing Bill to provide a legal framework for local vigilantes to be trained, funded and integrated into efforts to protect communities in collaboration with the police.

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He argued that safer communities would create an environment conducive to investment and economic growth.

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Ogaba-Ojah further promised to adopt what he described as a “Less Talk, More Action” approach to representation, saying he would not make promises that he could not fulfil.

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He equally promised to organise quarterly town hall meetings across the constituency to give constituents regular updates on projects, jobs created and people trained.

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According to him, the meetings would also provide an avenue for constituents to make suggestions on policies and projects that would benefit the area.

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Her vowed, “I won’t make empty promises. I will hold quarterly town hall meetings to show results, present the roadmap for what is coming next and, most importantly, listen to the people.

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“The best suggestions will be adopted so that we can build this future together,” he stated.

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On infrastructure, Ogaba-Ojah said he would push for the provision of solar power at farm hubs and skills acquisition centres to reduce the cost of running businesses with diesel.

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He also promised to develop what he called a “Rural Roads Map” to facilitate the connection of communities to agricultural hubs and markets.

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“No good road means no good price for farmers. Jobs and security cannot work without basic infrastructure,” he said.

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Explaining the broader objective of his agenda, Ogaba-Ojah said his intention was to create an environment where young people could find opportunities within the constituency instead of being forced to leave in search of jobs.

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He added, “We will create jobs through agriculture, secure our communities through local policing, and try to power it all with roads and solar where we can.

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“Together, we will build a constituency where our children don’t have to leave to survive.”

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