Irked by the continued use of ethnicity than substance for campaigning by some politicians in Kogi East, the Director General of Kogi State Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. Edward Onoja has asked the people to pay deaf ears to those that have continued to clutch on ethnic themes in vote canvassing for 2019 general elections.
He made the assertion on Monday while speaking at the palace of the Onu – Ife (Ojogba), Chief Boniface Musa in Abejukolo the headquarters of Omala Local Government Area.
Onoja, who was in the area as part of activities to celebrate this year’s yuletide season with APC family in the council said Omala has enjoyed so much dividends of democracy under Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration.
He stressed that unlike what was obtainable in the past where ordinary lip service to Igala people was the order of the day, Governor Bello has demonstrated his commitment to the area by ensuring development reached them as proven by the electricity situation in Abejukolo which is enjoying public power supply for the first time since the creation of the state.
“My leader – our governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has said long ago that none of his appointees shall be allowed to spend their holidays outside their communities. He said this so we can stay with our people, know how they feel and feed our him back with how they are faring when we return to work.
“Before, in times like this, government officials traveles abroad, to Abuja, Lagos or Kaduna to celebrate with their immediate family members only; but Governor Yahaya Bello said ‘no’ to that.
“Your Highness Sir, when it is election period, the message on the lips of some Igala politicians is “Igala Agenda;” but to remind us, since the creation of Kogi State about 27 years ago, Igala had been governor for about 20 years. Ironically, Igalaland remains the most underdeveloped region of the state despite that record.
“Governor Yahaya Bello who is an Ebira man that is constructing roads all over Igalaland today, including Umomi-Akpagidigbo-Ugwolawo-Ajaka-Idah road, Ankpa township Ankpa – Omala road, Ibana-Okpo-Ikeje-Ogugu-Ette road. Others that were abandoned in the past are also in the process of completion in few months time.
“Your Highness, your people just told me that Opada-Ofejiji Ward in Omala Local Government Area had never witnessed electricity even while an Igala governor for nine years hail from Omala; but today, Bello has brought electricity to the land.”
He therefore solicited support for all of APC candidates to ensure Kogi East continued to witness the current developmental strides.
The Director General urged the people of Omala Local Government area and Kogi East to support President Muhammadu Buhari for President; Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho for senate; Hon Ibrahim Halims for Ankpa-Olamaboro-Omala federal constituency and other APC candidates in 2019 election.
