The Emerging Leaders Forum, Kogi East has called on electorates in the Igala-Bassa nation to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming general elections in such a way that will keep Kogi East in the mainstream of the politics and government.
Addressing a press conference in Lokoja on Thursday, convener of the Forum, Dr. Usman Ogbo dissociated the group from the directive of Kogi East Elders Council (KEEC) urging the Igala and Bassa people not to vote for the president to prevent the perceived re-election of Governor Yahaya Bello.
He said contrary to the position of the elders, the Forum can confirm that
the people of Kogi East are beginning to trust the government unlike in the not too distant past.
Ogbo absolved President Buhari and Governor Bello from the ills facing the area and blamed on the misdeeds of past leaders from Kogi East.
“There is no doubt that the self appointed Kogi East Elders Council (KEEC) is an extended arm of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) judging from their membership and their subjective judgment of late.
“As a group we are worried and dismayed over the misleading and divisive content of the said press statement at this critical moment of our national polity by a group that should have known better, but for their partisan and self serving interest.
“Are these not the same elders who were in various leadership positions at the federal and state levels but failed to empower our people and develop our land? Rather, they were busy serving themselves and members of their immediate families before the change of political equation in Kogi state and in Nigeria in 2015.
“In spite of the fact that Kogi east can boast of producing a one-time national chairman of the former ruling party (PDP), why was the Umomi-Idah road which leads to the traditional headquarters of Igala Kingdom abandoned as a death trap all through that period?
“Where were our Kogi East elders when the Ibaji oil well was freely taken from the people for Anambra state? This development has led to needless friction and conflict between our people and their neighbouring communities?
“What has the Kogi east elders done about the perpetual darkness that has enveloped Igala and Bassa land? This is in spite of the nearby Geregu plant which supplies power to the FCT Abuja.
“Is it not the action and inaction of these elders that are responsible for political thuggery leading to premature and untimely death of our youths?
“Where were the Kogi east elders while the Kogi East senatorial seat has been the subject of endless litigations to the extent that from 2015 till date Kogi East has so far produced four (4) senators? Instead of mediating, the so called elders have obviously taken side,” he said.
The council further accused the elders of using their privileged position while serving at the top echelon in the PDP and in the government of PDP to divert board appointments meant for the Igala and Bassa people for their immediate family.
“Why did the Kogi East elders remain silent and could not expose the senator that put Kogi east in total darkness as a result of fraudulent diversion of funds meant for the power project located at Abadigba between Anyigba and Egume along Ankpa road?
“Where was the voice of our self appointed Kogi East elders when under their nose the dredging project that was suppose to bring ports to Idah and Lokoja was diverted? These ports would have boosted economic activities of our people and created jobs for our youths.
“Where were these elders when the Bagana-Abaji bridge that was suppose to connect Kogi east directly with the FCT was diverted for the Oweto Bridge in Benue state?,” he queried.
