On 11th November 2023, the electorate in Kogi State will go all out to vote who will become the 5th Executive Governor of Kogi State.
This particular election is very important because it will determine if Kogi State will be liberated from abject poverty or not.
This is because, after four successive administrations, the State is yet to be free from poverty as the government has continued to struggle with the payment of salaries particularly at the Local Government level, while workers at the State level get peanut as take-home pay.
There is no doubt in the fact the State will continue to struggle to pay workers and execute projects if the government remains dependent on the monthly Federal allocation.
One unfortunate thing in the State is that the current poverty level has made people beg to eat, while others even borrow to send their wards to school.
Instead of focusing on how to tackle this challenge headlong, it is painful and regrettable that the three Senatorial Districts are focusing on promoting ethnic agenda for who will take over Lugard House.
While the East has produced the Late Prince Abubakar Audu, Alh. Ibrahim Idris and Captain Idris Ichalla Wada as Governors of the State. Close to 8 years, the Central Senatorial District has the incumbent Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, while the Western Senatorial District is yet to test the number one Seat.
While it is a misplacement of priority to trail the part of the ethnic agenda, “Kogi Decides” should focus on a candidate that will unite the State and create wealth for all irrespective of tribe, ethnic background, and religion.
This is What Otunba Olayinka Braimoh, the Action Alliance Governorship Candidate represents.
Otunba Braimoh is the only Candidate who has a manifesto that can salvage the current economic quagmire that has turned even Civil Servants into beggars.
This Manifesto known as STAT Agenda, that is Solid Minerals, Trade, Agriculture and Tourism Development is all-encompassing and is targeted at reducing overreliance on Federal Allocation.
Also, this Agenda is capable of bringing more cash inflow into the State, thereby increasing the spread of money which will in turn reduce the current poverty level in the State.
The AA Gubernatorial Candidate had during his engagement with several Stakeholders stated that he is on an assignment to kick out poverty out of the State.
“I’m on an assignment to alleviate poverty in Kogi State. Four democratically elected Governors have done their best and only depended on federal allocations. I have the blueprint to drive cash inflow into our State to avoid over-dependence on Federal allocation.
Otunba Braimoh pointed out that his vision is to ensure that every household stops depending on the other for survival, saying his STAT Agenda which focuses on Solid Mineral Development, Trade, Agriculture, and Tourism is aimed at wealth creation.
This is an agenda that should be promoted by all who want a better Kogi State that its founding fathers will be proud of.
– Isah Ozigi writes from Lokoja.
