The third term ambition of Senator Smart Adeyemi suffered a major set-back yesterday as notable leaders from his Kogi West senatorial district insist on equity and fairness.
In a well attended meeting in Lokoja yesterday, leaders from the seven local government areas that constituted Kogi West senatorial district converged to resolve the heated debate on the age-long tradition of zoning senatorial seat among the three Federal constituency in the district.
As activities hot up towards the 2015 general election, leaders of Kogi West Senatorial Zone met in Lokoja Wednesday to endorse rotation and zoning of elective offices among the various political components in the zone.
Recent reports of attempts at self-perpetuation by the senator representing the zone, Senator Smart Afolabi Adeyemi who is serving his second term in the Upper Chamber of the Federal Legislature, has precipitated unease and apprehension in the zone.
Indeed, the purported endorsement of Adeyemi for a third term at an impromptu meeting held in the residence of a well known oil mogul and financier of the party in his country home, Isanlu, headquarters of Yagba East LGA, accentuated the general feeling of anger and repulsion.
The Kogi West Political Leaders’ Consultative Forum which met mid-week, however, resolved that the subsisting conventions on zoning and rotation in the senatorial zone must be maintained in the interest of fair-play, equity and justice.
The meeting which drew delegates from the seven Kogi West LGAs of Koton-Karfe, Lokoja, Kabba Bunu, Ijumu , Mopa Muro, Yagba East and Yagba West, was chaired by military governor of the old western state and former Minister of Police Affairs Gen. David Medaiyese Jemibewon. Also in attendance were the convener of the forum and Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Arc.Yomi Awoniyi, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, and pioneer Military Governor of Akwa Ibom state and later Bendel State, General Tunde Ogbeha. There were also Chief Of Staff to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Prince Sola Akanmode and pioneer Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Samuel Akande.
General Jemibewon recalled that the meeting was preceded by three previous meetings of the steering committee of the group which met in Abuja and Lokoja respectively, and established a template for the rotation and zoning of elective political offices in the zone. That template prescribed the sustenance of a one-term tenure for members of the Federal House of Representatives and two terms for the Senate.
It observed that whereas Lokoja/Koton-Karfe Federal Constituency was represented in the position by Senator Tunde Ogbeha between 1999 and 2007, the Kabba Bunu / Ijumu Federal Constituency has taken its turn with the incumbent Senator representing the zone, Smart Adeyemi.
It noted that it was deservedly the turn of Yagba Federal Constituency to produce the Senator for the zone in 2015, while Lokoja/Koton-Karfe will bid its time till 2023.
The leaders warned that no effort should be spared to ensure reconciliation on a house-to-house basis, build consensus among aspirants and minimize rancor and acrimony in the electioneering process.
In specific terms, Senator Ogbeha noted the attempt by certain elements in the zone to manipulate the delegates’ list for the various primaries and precipitate confusion. According to him, “Nobody has monopoly of violence. Any attempt to manipulate the collective aspiration of our people or impose unwanted candidates on us, will be rebuffed by violence in equal measure”
The meeting also discussed issues related to security of lives and property in the zone and state at large and the recent strike embarked upon by teachers in the state.
Deputy Governor Awoniyi observed that some expatriates who were victims of kidnap have been released by their captors, while the administration has moved swiftly to ensure teachers return to class.
Notable leaders at the meeting included former General Officer Commanding Third Armored Division, General Julius Oshanupin, former Director, Institute of Security Studies, Pastor Toyin Akanle, Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Tunde Olusunle, former Members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tolorunju Faniyi and Sola Ojo, pioneer Chairman of Peoples’ Democratic Party in the State, Dr Kayode Ige, former Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Musa Ahmadu and Special Adviser to the Governor on Pension Matters, Alhaji Ado Shuaibu.
In attendance were, Deputy Governor, Arc Abayomi Awoniyi, Prince Olusola Akanmode, Chief Bayo Ojo, General Jemibewon, Chief ABiodun Ojo, Dr Grace Gunwa, former deputy governor, Chief Samuel Ola Akande, General Oshanupin (Rtd.) and a host of other notable politicians from the zone. PDP chairmen from Lokoja, Kogi, Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Mopaamuro, Yagba East and Yagba West were present as well.
The leaders resolved that senate seat be zoned to Yagba Federal Constituency in the spirit of brotherhood and justice.
