As we reckon to an epochal transition in the nation’s history, candidates vying for various political offices are said to have lessen based on their operational drive in recent times. And in Kogi state, observers have pointed out that a third force may likely clasp sway in the general elections slated for Saturday, predominantly, in the major geopolitical zones.
While it is habitual in the Nigeria’s political settings that the ruling party decide who gets what base on mechanism at its disposal, the current clemency seems on the contrary. Where ineptitude and perceived kleptocracy often navigates loophole through which aspirants oust office holders. However, copious factor had compounded these year’s among which are:-
THE RULING PARTY (APC KOGI) FACTOR:
It’s a known fact that APC Kogi has been in factions from the initials of the Yahaya Bello’s government. Aggrieved members of the party were threatening to defect over definite actions believed to be an awry engagements into the government.
The governor on his part never made a reconciliation shot until of late when the opposition was greeted with massive political defectors the federal level. Although the faction ideology wasn’t circumscribed to the state alone.
But unlike the cock-eyed cases in Kogi state, the Buhari-led APC federal government could not manage what goes to who in terms of the national assembly elections and others. As a matter of fact, it’s believed that this is the first time in the nation’s history that an opposition will become the deputy president of the senate. Even at some points, they (opposition) were gunning for the third seat in the Nation’s hierarchy. And barring the last minute plan, APC would have lose the senatorial seat in 2015. To compound this, the system did not favor some big wheels believed to have invested so much in the success of the party in 2015.
Now, Governor Yahaya Bello however made a miniature effort to bring the party together. But that was when it became clear to him and his handlers that such move is sine-qua-non in his re-election bid. Therefore, it could best be described as medicine after death. The aggrieved members of the party already took a shot on another platform, mostly on the opposition. So, the ruling party by virtues of negligence has made the aspirations of other contestants in particularly, the national assembly unpopular in its cause. It’s not far-fetched from why the senatorial ambition of Dr. Jibril Isah aka Echocho (Kogi East) seems to have suffered some set back in the recent time.
THE OPPOSITION (PDP) FACTORS:
Although the incumbent senator is from the opposition party. Things don’t seems going well between him and his constituency members. Especially that he is believed to remain in the legislative seats based on concocted legal backing.
To the constituents, he has never won even his community in every elections. There was also nothing to show for his years on the legislative business. In a popular video titled; “Constituents Accused Senator Attai Aidoko Usman of Diverting Constituency Funds’’, Kogi Easterners berated the senator of the federal republic for failing to ameliorate his community of some indispensable necessities, let alone the entire constituency.
Moreover, the party itself rocketed the anger of the constituents via a unanimity that guaranteed automatic tickets to its serving senators. PDP Kogi East failed to take cognizance of the fact that, the gospel message of the current senator cannot get sinners to the alter of repentance anymore. It went ahead to give the return ticket to him upon extorting several millions of Naira from other aspirants in the name of nomination forms.
The purported failed primary on the 2nd of October 2018 infuriated a lot of its members and stakeholders who were waiting anxiously to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants. In short, some of the party devotees felt humiliated and instantly advised candidates to seek redress on another platform. Though it was reported in the media that the senator later avowed himself winner of the primary, signal is showing the opposition may not have a senatorial candidate in the Saturday general elections.
Moreover, the recent Supreme Court’s judgment has it that distinguish senator Aidoko has been sacked as a senator representing Kogi East senatorial districts. Besides, in a letter believed to be extract from the Supreme Court’s judgment duly signed by the real occupier of the seat (AM Isaac Alfa), Attai Aidoko may not contest for any elective positions in the nearest future.
So far so good, analysts are of the opinion that the senatorial race may be slotted between the candidate of the ruling party APC (Dr. Jibril Isah Echocho) whose candidacy is also nabbed in another factor (to be discussed below) and the candidate of the party believed to be the third force wagging stronger in Kogi’s political hemisphere; Dr. Victor Alewo Adoji of African Democratic Congress (ADC).
THE GOVERNMENT FACTORS:
Yahaya Bello-led APC Kogi government had been ostracized for numerous reasons from the inception. In fact, the white Lion’s new direction government obviously has lost directions in the state.
To an average Kogite, Yahaya Bello refused to pay salaries. Schools are on endless strike. The health practitioners are opting out of profession due to the government’s levity in their remuneration.
And to the more informed elites, the pertinent questions yet unanswered is why is the activities so down in the state amidst several Bailout funds, Paris club refunds, internally generated revenues, Loans and state allocations? From infrastructure to social welfare and security, nothing seems to be working. Most shockingly, the governor is apparently young and seemingly competent. But APC Kogi has already been tagged ‘WORST’ in the history of the state.
However, actions and inactions of the government has impacted negatively on the senatorial ambition of Dr. Jibril Isah Echocho. The people sees the state government as the brain behind their current political impediment. As a matter of fact, Kogi East Elders’ Council has accused the state government as the cause of their problems. They have also urged the people not to vote APC or any candidate been sponsored by them in the Saturday general elections. These people are groups of respected senior citizens who barely utter a words in the realms of polity.
Now, for the fact that, Mr Yahaya Bello has flouted optimism, the people are seething. Not forgetting the datum that Echocho’s senatorial get-up-and-go was to ride Yahaya Bello to victory in November and not the right will to serve. Echocho has, of late, been so rare in his rally. An insider also divulged on anonymity how he has waned to follow them to a rally in Dekina LG lately on the ground that, he was so exhausted and needed rest. There are hints also that the former governorship hopeful is also ogling the number one seat this year. This is further authenticated by an endorsement from a Dekina/Bassa group on his (Echocho) governorship ambition. Coupled with the fact that the gentleman is yet to make his campaign mantra known to the public. All these among others, have unequivocally compelled analysts to believe Echocho has no business going to the red chamber, and his representation may not augur well for Kogi Easterners.
An appraisal was also conducted across Ankpa, Omala, Igalamela-Odolu, Dekina and Idah LGAs on the two major aspirants recently. But findings were practically in favor of the ADC senatorial entrant, Dr. Victor Alewo Adoji.
Candidly, Ajaka town is still unhappy with APC Kogi over an abrupt removal of a Local Government administrator who is said to have outdid the state government with numerous achievement. It was revealed that the LG boss single-handedly built a secretariat and named it as the new direction house. However, his sack came on the heel that was indulging in anti-party activities. Perhaps, he was becoming a traitor. It’s on good annotation that Idah, Ajaka, and environs is exclusively for Dr. Victor Adoji.
Now, Dr. Victor Alewo Adoji is also popular in his domain. The astute banker cum politician actually surfaced the political terrain with sound and tentative calculations. Less a month, his name became the song on the lip of Kogi Easterners. And when PDP betrayed him, he didn’t leave alone. He left in the mammoth crowd of supporters. Findings have shown that more than 60% of his votes will come from both ruling APC and the opposition PDP party members. Hence, a very cogent reasons that Dr. Victor Alewo Adoji will coast to victory on Saturday, and probably with a wide margin.
But the question that should be on any discerning mind is;
Will elections in Kogi state be free, fair and violence free on Saturday? Will the berthed desperation currently in force allows democracy to thrive in the conduct this election? An answer to this question will determine the credibility of the assertion above.
We will discuss more of these after the election. Until then, please be a true democrat. Shun election malpractices.
– John Paul
Oeration Win Back Kogi State.
07064258752
