Political parties in the country are set to decide for the people the options available for them to choose from at the polls. This became necessary due to the guidelines gave by INEC to all political parties in enforcement of the electoral law. It calls for sober reflection because as the preliminary stage of election from which any elected political leader from the general election must pass; if due cares are not taken, the hope and the expectations of the people would be hampered. That is to say if the process does not afford the best candidate to emerge.
Usually party primary elections are also a game of money might like the weight of blow is necessary for a wrestler. In so doing in politics it is the masses who are injured by the choice of the few. When the best amongst the candidates did not emerge, it is left to the people to elect the lesser evil amongst host of many. This places a duty on political parties to exercise due diligence in their choice of candidates to be presented to the people. At least it is an era of the Card Reader and the People.
Where a fatal accident occurs at the first stage of an election, it is liken to put the fate of the people in the purview of the legal concept of necessity in which they are compelled out of extraordinary circumstances at least not within their powers but to choose a lesser devil. Though they are the victims, justice will never prevail over them.
In Kogi State, we have two major political parties (i.e the APC and PDP). It will be fair to assume that despite the fact that APC is in total control of the state, the party has died from lack of popularity amongst the electorates. It is an obvious truth some people will never say especially those in the government. Everyone will pretend all is well (maybe to maintain their privileges).
But recently in Kogi State the lawmakers representing the state at the National Assembly have dumped APC for PDP despite the fact that the state governor “elected to say” all was still well even in the loss of relationship between him and other members of his party since his governorship of the state. There is an indication that PDP is gaining more relevance and power while APC is losing more weights.
Particularly, Kogi East is a defining factor in Kogi politics and as such any political mathematics in the state without putting the senatorial district after the “symbol of equality” will be science in error. Hence in the state politics, Kogi east is a constant value. Interestingly, the senatorial district election is coming before the state executive election which further underscores the district importance in the national dairy.
For much too long the impacts of national representations have not been felt in the district. So many reasons have been given amongst which is the inability of the Igala dominated people of the area to speak with one and formidable voice. This mistake is made always in party primaries mostly with the PDP which has been producing the senator for the zone for more than a decade now.
The mandate of the representative from the zone at the National Assembly has been woven in legal controversies from onset of the substantive and battling Senator. This problem is advent as it appeared that PDP had not manage it well from the primary election that gave the representative the mandate. This issue need to be given attention.
At least now that another primary election is around the corner to elect the party’s candidate for the senatorial position, the party has to guard against reoccurence which may lead to production of an unpopular mandate. This is against the odds that APC has not unfolded who her senatorial candidate in Kogi east is. Although rumour has it that the party likely is reserving the ticket for Jibrin Isah Echocho whom many Kogi easterners thought to be in their defaults for not contesting for the state governor. It seems Echocho mandate under APC may not be a threat at all to PDP.
Now at least, amongst the Aspirants for the senatorial position in the district, Engr. John Ibrahim Ocheje seems to have the political goodwill of the people as he is favoured by his party zoning arrangements. Being an exceptional and deep-thought son of the senatorial district, his commitment and loyalty to PDP since 1999 place him more higher above his opponents in the party. It is estimated that John Ibrahim is placed on a scale of 9 over 10 in success and victory from the upcoming primary election of the party.
While other candidates from PDP may peg their hopes for victory in the primary election on the monetary formula, the domination of youth on the list of the party Working Committee as delegates is another point of valuable reference to the credit of John Ibrahim. The vibrant and youthful delegates seem to dwell their love in John whose doors are always open to them. In fact, the 3 points agenda of John Ibrahim for the senatorial district are Youth Oriented Projects. His chance is further amplified by long devotion to the party.
A bird-eye view of representational imbalances in the senatorial district and John Ibrahim’s exceptional outspokenness is another major factor to be considered. Increasingly, the people of the area have come to understand that representative position gravitates those who can stand and heard their views.
Since John Ibrahim is not a runaway soldier in the politics of Kogi east; his outward sincerity and sacrifices done for his community through various poverty alleviation programmes such as provision of scholarships to students and drilling of boreholes is a badge customised in his name “IBRAHIM” which he wears always. There is certainly a choice Kogi east PDP must take to be sure of victory. It may be why John Ibrahim.
– Abdullahi Suleiman Otiwe writes from Kogi state
Phone: 08064188686
Email: asokogi@gmail.com
