The desperation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi state to initiate pranks and deceive more persons into their fold in the name of defection got a ridiculous response in Ankpa Local Government as targeted defectors defied the seduction to join the party.
It was gathered that the Chief of Staff to Kogi Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, who is seen as de facto Governor of Kogi state, practically compelled the Local Administrator, Ibrahim Mohammed to brainwash people into the APC. The Administrator was seen moving around Ankpa alongside party officials in a desperate move to stage-manage the planned defection ceremony.
Prior to the stage managed defection, the politically myopic Edward Onoja had summoned the local administrator to the Government House in Lokoja and threatened him with suspension of his LG allocation if he fails to force people to decamp to the party.
As a result, the administrator, scared of losing his portfolio, improvised in haste to Ankpa and mobilised some party members who would serve as intermediaries to lure some persons into the party. They did not find it particularly easy on their assignment as the would be defectors showed great reluctance in accepting the moribund offers scripted to cajole them.
It was gathered that Edward Onoja, who ordered the administrator to use “whatever” means possible including threat, if necessary, and monetary enticement, expressed worries over the slow pace and unwillingness of Ankpa people to join their party.
Furthermore, in one of their fake rallies to receive the politically vulnerable decampees in Enjema, they met an embarrassing resistance from the youths who had to vent their displeasure over the zero political impact of the state government in their community.
The aggressed natives practically chased the administrator and his men away from Enjema. One Honourable Halims, who is now seeking relevance and favours from Governor Bello to be considered for the House of Representatives ticket escaped been lynched by the angry mob who felt betrayed his inconsistency and desperation to get power at all cost.
Halims lost his political relevance owing to his inconsiderate quest for power and compromised his personality for peanuts. Though some cheap youths who were obviously looking for feeding money from the administrator quickly organised a Kangaroo defection ceremony thereby presenting themselves as defectors. But in the aftermath, the embarrassment they attracted will forever remain a point of regret in their desperation to force people into a party that is fast losing relevance and popularity in the state.
– Austin Okai Usman
