Before the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria in the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party has continued to win the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat.
It was in 2023 that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) unseated PDP after many years of representing the Constituency at the Green Chamber.
It is on record that APC would have won the last election with landslide victory if not for the manipulations of the former Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, who used his position and money to get the ticket of the Party at a sham primary election held in Kabba.
Also, it is worthy to note that APC has never won House of Representatives seat in Okun land as the Yagba Federal Constituency as well as that of Ijumu has been exclusive for PDP and ADC.
The outcome of the APC House of Representatives Primary election for Kabba/Bunu Ijumu Federal Constituency in particular divided the party as a result of the desperation of Kolawole till date.
The party was divided based on the fact that the Ijumu and Bunu people felt cheated as the immediate Past Reps member for the Constituency, Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf from Kabba same district with Kolawole held the position for 12 years, that is 3 tenures.
It is because of the outstanding Leadership qualities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State that promoted Arc. Salman Idris, the current member representing Kabba-Bunu Ijumu Federal Constituency, decamp from ADC to APC.
The next election is around the corner and Kolawole is again drumming for support to contest the seat he lost woefully.
According to the popular saying “No be Juju be this.” It is very obvious that the ex Speaker does not have respect for the party and the sensibility of the people of the Federal Constituency, who had before now provided a workable arrangement for rotation of the seat.
Kolawole is a desperate Politician, who can lie or do anything to get power but the APC must be doing another mistake if they buy into his gimmicks and give him the Tickets.
Indeed, Kolawole is the enemy of APC as he is selfish and does not have the interest of the Kabba/Bunu Ijumu Federal Constituents interest at heart.
The 2027 General elections will be a time for APC to win their first House of Representatives election in Okun land particularly Kabba/Bunu Ijumu Federal Constituency on a clean sheet.
To avoid losing gallantly like 2023, the party must not jeopardize its victory by taking the ticket from Ijumu Local Government Area.
Even if power will return to Kabba-Bunu Local in 2031, it should be the turn of Bunu District as they must have waited for 20 years.
There is no doubt in the fact that Hon. Salman Idris has been tasted with power and has delivered his promises with quality representation at the Green Chamber.
He has facilitated employment and projects that have direct impact on the lives of his constituents.
Such an intelligent and Vibrant Lawmaker should not be traded for shenanigans, who do not value the dominance of the party in the Constituency as well as the State.
All eyes are now on the APC Primary election for Kabba/Bunu Ijumu Federal Constituency as anything contrary to picking the Candidate from Ijumu, will amount to failure of the party at the election election again.
The mistakes of the past must not be repeated to avoid reoccurrence of failure of the past.
A word is enough for the wise.
– Adeniyi Benjamin writes from Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.
