By Abdullahi Suleiman Otiwe.
As all nations delight in the crossover to the year 2019, political leaders across the globe have been offering season greetings and urged all the well-meaning people of their various nations to expect a year with remarkable changes in their national life. This has been the height of global political wishes.
In Nigeria, however, our case is special as the successful crossover to the year 2019 is compared to the situation of a permanent pregnancy which one cannot tell of the anxiety of the woman. This could at least best describe the national moods of concerned Nigerians as the nation crossed over into this year only to be reminded of less than fifty days to the polls.
Of course, remarkable political decisions have so far been taken and more expectedly are bound to take place which would further demonstrate the intriguing nature of Nigerian political display especially during electoral period. No doubt this year is thought remarkable.
Joining the host of concerned Nigerian political leaders, the Kogi East political leader, Engr. John Ibrahim Ocheje wished his constituent people, that is, the good people of Kogi East a prosperous new year celebration while championing them to remain law abiding citizens.
In his new year message released earlier a few minutes after the cross over from 2018, Engr. John Ibrahim reminded his people that good governance is possible only when they (the people) take their civic responsibilities seriously despite intimidating political circumstances.
He urged them to continue in their pursuit against political injustices and not vote for a political party which has nothing to offer them at this point of their developmental life. His emphasis was on a political party without internal organization and discipline.
While calling upon his teeming followers to take the bold step in voting for his political party the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), he reassured them that no political party in the state and indeed in the country today is more committed to the yearning and aspirations of the people than the APC.
Wishing the good people of his senatorial district a peaceful electoral year, he writes; ” may this herald yet another success to our party at the polls”.
He concluded by saying “I equally wish us all the very best through out this year and forever.”
For the record, Engr. John Ibrahim was the Kogi east senatorial aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the race that would have inevitably emerged him as the party’s flagbearer had the primary election been conducted because of his much political popularity and large acceptance by the good people of Kogi east.
Series of political injustices have threatened his aspirations to represent the people under the party. Engr. John Ibrahim would later identify with the ruling APC to advocate for good governance since the PDP failed in taking into account the genuine concern of the masses but the personal interests of the few; the philosophy he strongly stand against.
His defection to APC was accompanied by his thousand supporters who were in tone with his realistic approach in politics.
As noted from Engr. John Ibrahim’s new year message, he called upon the people of Kogi east, Kogi State and Nigeria in general to vote for candidates of All Progressive Congress at various levels to move Nigeria to the next level.
