My Next Political Move Lies With God, Currently Focussed on Present Job.

By Gabriel Omonhinmin.

The Otaru of Auchi Scared Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aleru Highbred Momoh, Ikelebe III, on Saturday, January 29th, 2022, conferred the title of ‘Oduma’ Lion of Auchi Scared Kingdom on Chief Clement Agba, Nigeria’s Minister of State, Budget and National Planning.

The chieftaincy title is one of the highest honorary titles that could be bestowed on any son and daughter of the Auchi Sacred kingdom and a non-indigene of Auchi, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, immediate past Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who was in a very high spirit on the day, Chief Ayiri Emami, the allegedly dethroned Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, were among other dignitaries across the country, who gathered at the Palace of the Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom to witness the conferment of the chieftaincy title of ‘Oduma” on Chief Clement Agba, in a colorful ceremony, which began exactly at 11am on that faithful day.

The Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, His Royal Highness Aleru. H. Momoh, said in a brief remarks on the occasion that Chief Agba’s forthrightness, unassailing integrity, focus and hard work coupled with his longing for the welfare and well-being of others, are some of the qualities which qualified him for the exalted title of the Auchi Sacred Kingdom.

Chief Agba, who spoke exclusively with Palace Watch two days after the ceremony, said “I can’t say exactly why His Royal Highness, the Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, decided to single me out for this honour, which I am very much grateful about.

I think I would have done something in the past to impress His Royal Highness, as he is known to be very meticulous in keeping records. That is why he considered me for the title of Oduma of Auchi Sacred Kingdom.
All I know, when I was a Commissioner in the Comrade Adams Oshiomole’s government as Governor of Edo State, His Highness on several occasions had cause to rob minds with me on certain issues and projects I was handling in the state then. During such occasions, of course, as one of our first class kings in Edo State, I had to listen to his suggestions/advice on certain issues and took some of his advice very seriously. Ever since, I have continually maintained this cordial relationship with him, and in the process we have kept constant communication with one another. And as to be expected, I did the little things I could do at that time to the best of my ability and to the general benefit of the entire Edo people. These are some of the things I presumed as a very celibral king, he took into cognizance in bestowing this honour on me. Hence, I’m not too surprised about this title of ‘Oduma’ Lion of Auchi Sacred Kingdom.

Palace Watch: The Vice-President, Professor Osinbajo left all he was doing in Abuja, to personally grace your chieftaincy title conferment in the Otaru of Auchi Palace in Auchi, is this a sign of your cordial working relationship with him and Mr. President?

Chief Agba: I must confess that I was personally elated and honoured by the Vice President’s presence at that event. It shows that there must be something that I am doing right. I will continue to toe that line, and do my very best to deliver services in this government. I’m eternally grateful to His Excellency, the Vice President for honouring me, the way he did.

Palace Watch: what would you say, is the possible reason(s) for Comrade Adams Oshiomole, whom we saw on that day, visibly playing a role in your chieftaincy conferment in the Otaru of Auchi Palace? Because, since his forceful removal from office as APC National Chairman, he was never seen to play such a role of receiving and welcoming guests in public just as he did in your event?

Chief Agba: Well, when next you see Comrade Adams Oshiomole in person, you can ask him why he was in such high spirits at the occasion. All that I know, and can say, is that Comrade Oshiomole is a man I respect tremendously. Of course, you will not forget so quickly that he was my boss when I served under him when he was Governor of Edo State for eight years. I presume, Comrade Oshiomole also has some respect for me as a person, as he has come to know me intimately for the type of person I am.

You asked me, how loyal I was to him, when people talk about loyalty they mean total submission. Yes, it’s good to be loyal to a good friend and a former boss and a caring brother. But one thing, which must not be mistaken in my type of loyalty, is what I will call ‘blind loyalty.’ I do have my two eyes open, when I am in any relationship. Comrade knows my type of person, while I was a Commissioner in his government in Edo State, he knew whenever I disagreed with him on an issue, he always knows, that I would always stand by my own position, no matter the number of persons supporting such position or argument. But what I do not do, is to go out of the government circle and begin to play to the gallery, expressing whatever divergent views or positions I had in public. I value relationships, I value friendship a lot.

That is not me! It is also not my style or nature to be a fair weather friend. If I say or take anyone as my friend, he will forever remain my friend no matter the condition or circumstances. I think these are some of the reasons why Comrade Oshiomole and I are still very good friends up till today.

Palace Watch: Chief Agba, people were saying in hush voices at the venue of your Chieftaincy conferment in the Palace of the Otaru of Auchi that the Etsako or more appropriately Edo North people are using your chieftaincy conferment as a smoke screen to kick start preparations for you to contest the Edo State Governorship position in the year 2024 when the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki, would have been rounding up as Governor of Edo State. It was also alleged that the gathering is one of the moves to commence selling your candidature to the Etsako people. How correct are these allegations?

Chief Agba: That cannot be the true position of things. Whosoever has such an impression of what happened in the Otaru of Auchi Palace in Auchi on Saturday, January 29th, 2022, is way off the mark.
By the way, why should I be interested in the Edo State Governorship seat now, when I presently have a job I am doing? If you must know, I am one person who focuses all my attention on the assignment I have at hand. I do not waste my time chasing other things, because I know, once I am distracted I will lose focus. Moreover, the year 2024 is still a very long time from now. You are talking about one year and some months from now. Before then, so many other things would have happened, which no man except God has control over. I honestly do not waste my precious time on such trivialities. I take one step at a time in all that I do in life. So, whatever I will do next or become after leaving office as Minister, is solely in the hands of Almighty God.

Palace Watch: Honourable Minister, what is the secret, you seem to have this tremendous goodwill and followership from your place, the entire Uneme Kingdom/people. You are equally liked by people from other areas of the state, especially people that make up the other tribes of Edo North in particular and the Edo State as in general. What’s the possible reason(s) for this great influence?

Chief Agba: I don’t think there is anything in particular, or special, that I have done, that is responsible for what you call ‘great followership’ or for this cordial relationship between the Edo state people and I. All I have done to earn their respect is my service, honesty and dedication to anything that will benefit the generality of the Edo State people. When I had the opportunity to serve them I gave my very best. Whatever, I did when I was a Commissioner in the state I did to the best of my ability. I served them with honesty and integrity. Edo people as a whole are very discerning in the way they see things and analyze situations. They know people who served them well with integrity. They also know, people who pretend to be serving them, in whatever capacity they might be.

As for my people, the Uneme people as a whole, I tried my very best to represent them well in the government of Comrade Oshiomole. Within the period in question, when I served as a Commissioner in Edo State, the little I could do, within my powers then to uplift my people, I did. I made sure they got the basic amenities which were visibly lacking in the whole of these areas before Comrade Adams Oshiomole became the Governor of Edo State. I also made sure we assisted a lot of people from these areas in human capacity building. Very many of them, who are today doing very well in life, are still very much grateful for the little, we were able to do to help then. Some members of their immediate families alongside their extended families are also very grateful for the little interventions we made in their lives.

My personal philosophy in life is whatever position one finds himself in life, use it to better the lives of others. This is what I try to do, wherever I find myself. It is nice and gratifying to know, from you now, that the Edo State people are very happy with me, when I was a Commissioner in the State and now again that I am representing them at the Federal level as a Minister. I am not going to change; I will keep doing my utmost best to better their lives and communities and to continue to represent them well.

Palace Watch: What do you say to the numerous youths across the country that see you as one of their role models?

Chief Agba: My appeal to the Nigerian youths is for them to learn to embrace the culture of hard work. This is the only way to go, if one wants to get to the top. Cutting corners and doing all manners of unwholesome things doesn’t help the individuals and the country at large, it leads to deserter no matter the temporary gains such a person would have made. Hard work, integrity and honesty are one sure way to get to the top, if one is focused.

At this particular time, the Nigerian youths need to join hands with the government of the day, at the states and Federal levels, to move this country forward. Nigeria has all the potential to becoming one of the great countries of the world.