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Politics they say is a dirty game, it is also a game of numbers and interests.
Therefore all that has been witnessed lately in Kogi West Senatorial District of the All Progressive Congress (APC) can be viewed as politics in action as various aspirants are trying to showcase their potentials to provide more credible representation at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
Rt Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole as the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly and being the most senior political officer holder within the party in the district is obliged to provide the needed leadership to reposition the party ahead of the 2019 General Elections.
Who represents the District in the next dispensation at the senate can’t be the sole decision of the Speaker rather it will be the collective decision of the leadership of the party at the Senatorial and State level.
Rt. Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole is an individual who God has placed in a leadership position in the Senatorial District now and instead of casting aspersions on his person and office, he should be eulogised for providing credible transparent and responsible leadership that has been all-inclusive in the party.
Staging protests or the call for his removal by some people who felt their interests are not being protected in the decision of the party does not hold water, as the current arrangement of having the Speaker from Kabba/Bunu for the first time is an added advantage to the party in not only the local government but the Federal Constituency.
For those clamouring or campaigning for the return of Speakership to Lokoja, it is apparent they are not really conversant with the political arrangement in the District.
This is one things that stand out the New Direction administration of Governor Yahaya Bello who truly recognise the Federal constituencies in the state, with a novel idea of giving all Federal Constituencies equal and fair representation in the State.
There are three federal constituencies in Kogi West Senatorial District; Lokoja/Kogi, Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu and Yagba Federal constituencies respectively, Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency has been lucky to produced 8 speakers at different times, Yagba produced 2 times with Rt Hon Clarence Olafemi during his time serving as Acting Governor, while Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency who hitherto produce the largest votes is just having it for the first time.
However, the party leadership is not unaware of the clamour of the people of Yagba to produce the next senator to represent the District but there might be more to the decision of the party leadership on this issue than the people can see or think.
An impeccable source who shed more light on why they wanted to tow the path of Senator Smart Adeyemi was based on their conviction that they must have a ranking senator who possess the requisite knowledge about the workings of the National Assembly and can also stand for the state at all times.
The coming on board of Senator Smart Adeyemi to the senate has nothing to do with the Speaker, as the State House of Assembly is far different from the National Assembly, with different roles and jurisdictions.
Endorsing a candidate or an aspirant does not mean primary elections of the party would not be held into those offices, for anyone who is convinced of popularity and acceptability among the party faithfuls, they are free to continue the quest to actualize their aspirations as forms are on sale.
That obviously will go along way to make the party stronger if the participants are truly committed members because it is expected all aspirants will abide with the outcome of such process.
The leadership of the party at all levels are committed to and have assured all aspirants of a level playing ground for all contestants.
No one should therefore pick on anyone for their inadequacies.
However, Rt Hon Prince Matthew Kolawole should not be held responsible for the collective decisions of the leadership of the party in the district.
– Femi Olugbemi
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