In barely two weeks (November 21), the people of Kogi State in the middle belt of Nigeria will go to the polls in a governorship election. It is poised to be one of the most keenly contested elections in the country in recent times for many reasons.
First, the new permanent voter card system would make the people’s vote count substantially. Two, the two major gladiators, the incumbent governor, Captain Idris Wada (PDP) and the chief contestant, Prince Abubakar Audu (APC) are both second termers. This means that the people have had the privilege of assessing them both and can tell who had served the best and therefore, who would serve them better, given a second chance.
Many analysts think it would be close, as what the one may lack the other has. They say it would be close to call. While the incumbent, Wada, is cool and of quiet mien, Audu is known to be able to rouse the rabble. While Wada is very peace-loving and has indeed brought peace to a much fractured environment, Audu is remarkable for his steel and hardihood.
Finally, one thing to be said for Wada is that the state under his watch does not seem to be embroiled in the fiscal crises most state are faced with; if he owed many months in salary arrears, his campaign would have been a mite more difficult. In a country facing cash crunch, the ability to manage resources and meet basic obligations must count for something. Well, it is a call for Kogites, they know best.
