Otukpo Women Defy constituency Lines to Endorse Hon. Philip Agbese, Form “Okanga Sisters” Branch
In an extraordinary display of political solidarity that defies conventional constituency boundaries, women from Otukpo Local Government Area today inaugurated the third meeting of their Okanga Sisters branch, a support group dedicated to Hon. Chief Dr. Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the 10th House of Representatives, despite not being part of his Enone federal constituency.
This unusual political alignment has sparked conversations about the magnetic appeal of Agbese, popularly known as Okanga, whose leadership has inspired women from a neighboring constituency to pledge unwavering loyalty.
Hon. Agbese represents the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu (Enone) Federal Constituency, while Otukpo falls under the separate Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency. Yet, the formation of Okanga Sisters in Otukpo signals a grassroots movement driven by admiration rather than geographic obligation.
“Why would women from Otukpo rally behind a lawmaker who isn’t even their representative? The answer is simple: exceptional leadership,” declared Mrs. Blessing Otsepa, coordinator of the Otukpo Okanga Sisters. “Hon. Agbese’s impact is so profound that it resonates beyond his constituency. We see his work, we hear his voice in Abuja, and we want to be part of his vision.”
In just two years in office, Agbese has gained a reputation for:
– Legislative Excellence: Active participation in critical national debates and bills.
– Empowerment Programmes: Scholarships, skills acquisition schemes, and business grants for youths and women.
– Infrastructure Development: Road projects, healthcare center upgrades, and educational support in Enone.
These achievements have not gone unnoticed. At the meeting, some women passionately declared they would even consider relocating their voter registration to Enone just to support Agbese in future elections, this is a demonstration to his growing influence.
Political analysts suggest that this development could mark a shift in Nigerian politics, where performance, rather than mere geographic representation, determines a lawmaker’s support base.
“This is unprecedented,” said a political commentator who preferred anonymity. “For a first-term lawmaker to command such loyalty outside his constituency means he’s doing something revolutionary. It challenges the norm where politicians only focus on their immediate constituents.”
The enthusiasm at the meeting was palpable, with members chanting solidarity songs and sharing testimonies of how Agbese’s policies and support to some of them in Otukpo have inspired them.
“Who doesn’t like good things?” one member exclaimed. “If our own leaders were doing half of what Okanga is doing, we wouldn’t need to look elsewhere. But since they’re not, we’ll support a man who is actually working.”
With the Okanga Sisters gaining momentum in Otukpo, there are strong indications that similar groups could emerge in other parts of Benue and even nationally. If this trend continues, Agbese may well be on his way to becoming one of Nigeria’s most influential grassroots-backed lawmakers.
The Otukpo women’s bold endorsement of Hon. Philip Agbese sends a powerful message: exceptional leadership knows no boundaries. In a political environment often marred by ethnic and regional divisions, the Okanga Sisters phenomenon attests that when leaders deliver, support will follow regardless of constituency lines.
As the women vowed to “follow Okanga all the way,” one thing is clear: Agbese’s brand of leadership is rewriting the rules of political engagement in Nigeria.
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