By Williams Eghebi

Naturally, we should roll out the drums, gongs and several other percussion instruments to celebrate the birth anniversary of our dear friend and brother, Barr Felix Morka (CON), the National Publicity Secretary of APC. We cannot just celebrate this rare gift with music alone. Pounded yam served with Ujuju (myrianthus arboreus ) soup littered with wild snails and dried ‘bush meat’ will be certainties.

Fresh mushrooms from decomposing palm trees will provide ethnic dimension to the meal. The icing on the cake is our legacy: wine tapped from life palm trees delivered in calabash kegs and served with cups made from bamboo and coconut case. This is our Agbor heritage that we guide and guard jealously.

This birth anniversary of Barr Felix Morka means so much not just to him but many of us that understand his political trajectory in the last few years. If his appointments to head the management boards of both Nigeria Television Authority and Federal Medical Centre, Yenogoa, do not hit the right cord, his return as the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a masterstroke. We celebrate these three crowns on this birthday.

As a pragmatic politician, he sustained efforts to build Delta State APC brick by brick in conjunction with a few others. The incubation period to ascertain if their efforts will turn into victory was yet to come through when the hitherto dominant Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, wholly migrated into APC last April.

During the last congresses of the party, Barr Morka unmistakenly exhibited his capacity to advance his views without intimidation, accommodate diverse inputs, accept superior arguments and protect the supremacy of his party. He meticulously ensured that personal interests were submerged into those of the party.

A few are uncomfortable with his drive to ensure an inclusive APC in the state. These conservative members wished he joined them to create an impermeable wall between the old members and the new converts. The desire of Barr Morka is not just victory for his party in the next elections but to turn in very high figures. Fair enough, he has developed a tough skin insulated from all insults and tantrums. After all, you do not fix your hair until you are completely out of the woodland.

The people of Agbor and indeed Ika are proud of him as it’s the first time we have produced a member of National Working Committee (NWC) of a party in government at the federal level. Our elation is not just the office but his impeccable performance. His communication skills, clear understanding of party rules and procedures as well as awareness of policies and programmes of President Tinubu-led government have made his tasks seem easy. While defending our party and government, Barr Felix Morka does not shade any segment that demands improvement. The Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and indeed Deltans are proud of you irrespective of party leanings.

It is my wish that as we journey into the critical phase of party activities, God will use you and other party leaders to make the best choices and decisions.

Williams Eghebi write from Delta State.