The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election slated for November 11 in Kogi State.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the ADC National Chairman, Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, also called on political stakeholders in the state to allow the leadership of the state to rotate among the three senatorial zones.
Nwosu said equity, not domination grows democracy, fuel development and creates a harmonious and secure environment for economic enlargement for all.
He said, “For the first 16 years the Igala people (Kogi East) felt it was proper to occupy the Lugard House, at the exclusion of the other two senatorial areas, the Okun and the Igbira.
“The Igbira of the Kogi Central senatorial zones were once calling for equity, but now, the two terms of eight years for Governor Yahaya Bello are not enough? They seem not to have learnt from the past and the ‘lion’ is intent on keeping power in Igbira land for God knows how long. To these two power blocs, the Okun people of Kogi West senatorial area seem irrelevant and do not matter.
“The fact that Nigeria has diversity of people and cultures has provided resiliency in spite of our country’s failures. Continuously undermining each other because of ethnicity, tribe, religion or language affects the quality of governance, leadership culture and development with adverse impact on the character, psychology and socialisation of our people.
“The elites who hide under whatever guise to perpetuate or watch such indiscretions will be victims of the opportunism of the quicksand on which they have taken refuge.”
