This open letter is being written by the IDAH FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY YOUTH INTEGRITY GROUP OF NIGERIA based on the need to promptly educate relevant stakeholders on the need to tread with caution, especially as it concerns the zoning arrangement for the Senatorial Seat in Kogi East.
At its recent emergency meeting, the group resolved to communicate through this channel considering her regards for leaders at all levels, the Governor of Kogi State in particular and the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC in Kogi State.
The essence of this open letter cannot be over emphasized, viewing from the political atmosphere ahead of the coming general elections and the urgent need to correct some impressions and right some perceived plans which to us is viewed as wrong in its entirety if the plan is anything to go by.
For the records, the position of Kogi East Senatorial Seat has always been zoned, although it has never favoured Idah Federal Constituency which compromises Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela/Odolu and Ofu Local Government Areas of the State,
Since the beginning of the fourth Republic, Idah federal Constituency had only produced one Senator which did not last for more than six months due to legal tussle, and that was Senator Dangana Ocheja whose tenure was truncated.
Below is the summary of the occupation of the Kogi East Senatorial seat which speaks for itself.
Summary of Succession (1999–2026)
1999–2007
Alex Usman Kadiri -Dekina
(ANPP/APP)
2007–2011
Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane- Dekina
(PDP)
2011–2012
Emmanuel Dangana Ocheja-Idah
(PDP)
2012–2015
Atai Usman Aidoko- Olamaboro
(PDP)
2015–2019 was occupied by both Aidoko,
Isaac Mohammed Alfa- Ankpa
(PDP) and Abdul Railway – Ankpa as Popularly known, all from Ankpa federal Constituency, who completed the Senatorial tenure as a result of the legal tussles.
2019-Date (2026)
Jibrin Isah Echocho -Dekina
(APC)
A close look at the above reveals clearly, the great level of marginalization in the occupation of the Senatorial seat, favouring Dekina substantially, followed by Ankpa federal Constituency and Idah federal Constituency which has the least- This therefore, calls for sober reflection ahead of the coming political dispensation.
We are also aware of some intrigues that since the Deputy Governor is from Idah federal Constituency, it may not be possible to have a Senator from there as well. Let it be clear that the present Governor is from Okene, the same place which is expected to produce the Senator in person of former Governor Yahaya Bello who has declared to contest. What then is wrong to have a Senator from Idah federal Constituency ? Definitely, nothing is wrong !
It is already on record that the present administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is known for justice, equity and fairness, hence he would not fold his hands to see a federal Constituency marginalized to an extent that the people will revolt.
On this note, the group unequivocally states that it will not be pleased if any group under any guise would go against the will and aspirations of the people of Idah Federal Constituency as they remain committed to presenting their formidable candidate for the Senatorial seat in the coming political dispensation.
”It is important to note that democracy is all about effective representation, the people of Idah Federal Constituency also deserve to have their own there, we should not be ignored for any reason, we are all equal, there should be proper understanding among the three federal Constituencies in Kogi East, we must resist the temptation of hating ourselves due to political maneuver, equal treatment is imperative and so we must tread with caution”
Consequently, this group is equally using this opportunity to advise those who may claim to be close to His Excellency or other stakeholders to stay away from the zoning arrangement and allow the people and to decide for themselves in order to have a seamless election victory for the APC.
Since the leadership of APC has all the powers to do all within its reach, it is advisable that opportunity should not be freely given to opposition parties to thrive whatsoever and the only way to avert this is to allow fairness and justice to prevail.
As an integrity youth group from Idah Federal Constituency, we will keep our fingers crossed, with the hope that this message will sink well into the hearts of those that matters in this zoning arrangement.
Once again, the leadership of APC should ensure it zones the Senatorial seat to Idah Federal Constituency if we are not to be seen as slaves to other federal Constituencies within Kogi East.
The time to act begins now and just as the saying goes, that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Yours Faithfully,
Comr. Simon Uloko Amana
Forum Chairman
Alhaji Ichaba Junior
Forum Secretary
