…says ‘it’s Lokoja/Koto turn’ after 20 years
The campaign team of Ustaz Zakari Abubakar Ola has rejected reported moves to adopt Senator Sunday Karimi as a consensus candidate for Kogi West Senatorial District on the platform of All Progressives Congress, insisting that all aspirants must face delegates at the party primary.
Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Bukky, a 2023 Senatorial candidate under the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and current leader of the Ustaz Zakari Abubakar Ola RESCUE MISSION, said Ola was not consulted on any consensus arrangement and will contest as an aspirant.
“The idea of choosing Senator Karimi as a consensus candidate is not the way to go, because the party itself said there will be nothing like consensus and everybody should go for the primary,” Bukky said in an interview on Friday.
“Ustaz Zakari Abubakar Ola was never consulted nor contacted about any consensus candidate and based on this, Zakari Ola will be going into this race as an aspirant.on Monday Insha Allah”
‘It’s Lokoja/Koto’s turn’
Ibukun said the agitation from Lokoja/Koto federal constituency is based on what he described as a 20-year gap since the area last produced a senator.
“Yes as you are all aware we are in the race. Ola is one of the aspirants we have. Our brothers from the other side of the western senatorial district have been holding to this position for the past twenty years and that gives us the right here in Lokoja/Koto to agitate for that position after a long while.”
He noted that the last senator from Lokoja/Koto was Senator Tunde Ogbeha in 1999. “Since then it has been with the Okun people of Kogi West. Now we are saying it’s our turn. They don’t have any reason to continue holding on to that position.”
“So at this stage they should consider us from Lokoja/Koto and Ustaz Zakari Abubakar Ola should lead,” he added.
On the Disputes within Yagba/Ijumu zoning argument, Ibukun faulted zoning claims within the Okun bloc, citing the 12-year tenure of former Senator Smart Adeyemi from Ijumu/Kabba federal constituency.
“He made us know that there is nothing like Yagba federal constituency, that Okun is Okun and that is the reason he has also thrown his hat into the race again,” Ibukun said.
“Now I don’t see the reason why Yagba or no Yagba should be the yardstick to decide who becomes the next senator for Kogi West. In any case, Yagba had allowed Ijumu/Kabba to use their term, so Lokoja/Koto should not suffer for what they have allowed.”
“Lokoja/Koto has everything it takes to grab the seat. Power is not given. We have to go in and say this is our turn and right, and the only way we can achieve that is to go with all the political strength and advantage we have.”
He referenced past public comments attributed to Senator Karimi on political contests. “Like when Senator Karimi said publicly that power is not served, that they have to take it,” he stated.
He also alleged that there were reports of external preferences for certain aspirants, but maintained that such moves would not reflect the will of constituents.
“We were meant to understand that some are saying the Ebiras cannot choose a senator for them in Kogi West. That is why they are supporting Karimi,” he claimed.
The Kogi West Senatorial District comprises seven LGAs across Lokoja/Koto, Ijumu/Kabba, and Yagba federal constituencies. The next senate election is expected in 2027.
