By Peter Duru, Makurdi

All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwart and lawmaker representing Ado/ Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chief Philip Agbese has explained that he recently extended appointments to political opponents and adversaries because capacity and competence takes precedence over other interests.

He said the clarification became necessary given the reactions that have continued to trail the appointment of non APC members into his Parliament of Local Unity, PLU, group in his constituency.

The lawmaker had recently announced the appointment of over 20 new aides to bolster his legislative mandate; among them were members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP, as well as some of his perceived antagonists.

Speaking to newsmen on the matter in Makurdi, the lawmaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Lawrence Oduh clarified that the appointments “was an indication that Chief Agbese has no enemy anywhere in the world.”

He noted that the Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives has a larged heart and he had already forgiven those who turned their backs on him after benefiting from his generosity and goodwill.
He maintained that “Chief Agbese believes that humanity supersedes personal interests, political affiliations, religion and tribe. He places premium on capacity, excellence and competence hence his recent decision. And by these appointments, he considers everyone as a stakeholder in the Enone (his constituency) project.”

The Media Aide likened his principal to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume “who has no enemy and can go to any home to eat and sleep.”

According to him, “humanity is not about maintaining a gracious relationship between one another in the society but it is about building a bond in the society with the help of sustainable values.
“Today’s world is full of greed, commotion, distress and distrust. But when peace and harmony become the main cause of every kind of service rendered, it becomes the service to God.

“When an orphan gets a cuddling hand to lighten his life, it becomes a Godly gesture. When a deprived lives blissfully along with the rest of humanity, it is the kingdom of God.

“Agbese believes the greatest pleasure is in bearing pain for others. He sees those considered adversaries as fundamental companion in progress.”

Oduh said, “these have always been Agbese’s core principles: ‘we are one, regardless of caste, creed, religion and race.’ Agbese represents the entire constituency.

“He was elected for the poor and rich, educated and uneducated, Christians and Muslims, farmers and herders, PDP, LP and other party faithful.”

He informed those working tirelessly to bring down the lawmaker that he had already prayed for and forgiven them, and asked every patriotic son and daughter of Enone to pray for and support their own, assuring that they would all feel the impact of his stewardship.