The unexpected is happening in the fold of supposed progressive party All Progressives Congress, APC in kogi state with high-level back-stabbing and commercial-politics.
In a high profile political deal over the weekend, embattled oil-mogul, Jide Omokore sealed a mouth watering political deal with leader of APC in Kogi state, Prince Audu to ensure a smooth ride for unpopular senator Smart Adeyemi in his inglorious attempt to cheat the younger generations and yet unborn with his notorious third term bid. The main crux of the deal is to stop APC frontline senatorial aspirant, Sam Aro from clinching the party ticket.
The deal, aside the monetary offer to the prince of Ogbonicha, will see Omokore and Smart Adeyemi support Prince Audu to emerge as kogi state governor in 2016. Omokore, who has been a long time friend of Audu, was visibly angry with incumbent Gov Wada for creating a level playing ground in the last house of assembly primaries that made Omokore spend beyond his budget to buy delegates for needed results.
Curiously, the APC senatorial screening committee in Kogi State has cleared all the other six aspirants and disqualified only Sam Aro, who is undoubtedly the only serious challenge to Smart Adeyemi’s 3rd term bid
The committee, which was chaired by Mr Davidson Oputteh, informed that Honourable Aro Bamidele was disqualified based on his ongoing legal tussle with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a matter that is pending in court. In the eyes of the law, Aro is still innocent.
One begins to wonder if the party that cleared Prince Abubakar Audu to contest 2011 governorship election in Kogi state under ACN despite his numerous court cases and even a bigger case with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This is the height of hypocrisy!
Aro, I gathered, has appealed his purported disqualification. I hope APC will recover from this set-back from enemy camp.
Audu have alot to do to retain the integrity he is known for in the past. Recent actions from the prince is suggesting that his words can longer to relied upon and he is now placing lucre above his integrity.
Is APC blind to the fact that Omokore is the only leader from Kogi West that is supporting Smart Adeyemi’s inglorious political journey to shame? If notable PDP leaders cutting across the seven LGAs in Kogi West can come out strongly to defend equity, rotation and fairness, will a foul deal with Omokore guarantee Audu the governorship seat? Audu’s recent action in selling out Aro’s candidature is a crime against Kogi West and we will long remember this act against Audu and everything he represents.
– Titi Balogun writes from Lokoja
