We have watched with keen interest the ongoing agitation between the Okovi group of clans and Agada group of clans in Okene local government regarding the Chairmanship position.
We, as fondly referred to as the Ada Ehi group, are neither Okovi nor Agada but residents in Okene Local Government Area. We have observed that the peaceful rotational arrangement between the Agada and Okovi overtime has been very cordial.
In any political dispensation the power that be in that government is usually lobbied for the position to be given their preferred candidate in either Okovi or Agada depending on whose turn it is.
However, from the last administration of Idris Wada of the PDP where Senator Ahmed Ogembe served as the Local Government’s head as Liaison Officer I (LO1) before he became the elected Chairman, all his years in office put together was for a period of 3 years, 9 months.
In 2016, Governor Yahaya Bello appointed Abdulrazaq Muhammad as the Okene Local Government Administrator and he was subsequently sworn in on the 9th of May, 2016 the position he held up till date.
Logically, overtime the practice has always been the appointment of caretaker or which ever name they coined be it Administrator, Caretakers, Liaison Officer or whatever, it usually lasted for at most a year or at least 6 – 7 months before been elected as the Chairman for the constitutionally approved 3 years tenure. The situation at hand in Okene requires understanding between the two group of clans to find a peaceful ground of resolution.
Our humble appeal is for the present Administrator, Mallam Abdulrazaq to be very magnanimous, grateful and thankful to Allah first and foremost for making him fulfill his dreams to become the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government which he had always craved. For this, he will always be remembered as one time Leader of Okene Local Government Area. Also, to show appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello who afforded him the opportunity to fulfil his life-long dream.
His Excellency decided to honour him among other aspirants when it was even obvious that other clans in Agada were actually too favored when compared to his clan due to some reasons.
Remember just recently, Okovi group of clans agitated for the position of House of Representatives but someone from Abdulrazaq’s clan, Hon Tijani Ahmed Damisa was favoured for the 3rd time running. This is unprecedented in the history of Ebira politics.
If Abdulrazaq insist on running by putting His Excellency under unnecessary pressure to allow him reign for another 3 years in office because he want to be called Executive Chairman, where is is loyalty?
Why not wait for when next it will be Agada’s turn instead of demanding to be elected when it is Okovi’s turn?
When will Okovi group of clans have that same opportunity of straight 7 years as the head of the local government?
Does Abdulrazaq prefer that Governor Yahaya Bello continue to marginalize his own group of clans for his?
Can Abdulrazaq do half of what His Excellency has done so far for peaceful coexistence? Let us be reasonable and be very wise, please.
Signed:
Hassan Abdulmumuni
For: Ada Ehi Group
