A socio-cultural group, Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA), Kogi State chapter has declared “total support” for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November governorship election, Engr. Musa Wada.
In a communiqué issued after its meeting in Lokoja on Thursday, ICDA stated that its decision to support Wada for the coveted Kogi governorship seat is not on primordial or divisive tribal sentiments but based on critical assessment of current situation in the state.
The communiqué signed by Shaibu Mohammed noted that the one of the most important criteria for winning elections globally, especially for a party in power, is performance. It, however, stated that good governance has eluded Kogi state in the last four years.
The communiqué reads thus:
“There has been no single infrastructural project in any part of the state initiated, completed and commissioned by the APC-led administration. Worse still, civil servants salaries, allowances and pension of retirees have never been paid regularly nor in full despite unprecedented huge financial allocations, bailouts, Paris Club refunds and other loans obtained from financial institutions. These are different from funds generated by BIR that the state got and wasted in four years. This reckless spending has put Kogi state in abject poverty, misery and debt that children yet unborn wil pay dearly.
“It is on the basis of these evidences of poor performance by the APC led administration in the state that he should not been offered a second term.
“At the moment, the Igala nation has been deliberately sidelined at the national and state levels in all fronts and positions. The Igala nation has become a laughing stock and subject of ridicule within and outside the state.
“The publications emanating from some Ebira persons have led credence to these with attendant insults and derogatory insinuations in the face of current political situation leading to November 2019 gubernatorial election. We, as Igala people, take very seriously the insults and insinuations contained in the said publication, both in the social media and other media. We therefore call on all leadership of Ebira people to urgently renounce, disown and dissociate themselves from such and subsequently caution their sons and daughters against such provocative utterances and publications as these are capable of heating up the polity, causing crisis, unnecessary acrimony and endangering peaceful co-existence among the people.
“In the face of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, ICDA members are of believe that the election should be free, fair and the contest should be open to all eligible citizens of Kogi state. Thus, groups, committees, societies and associations should be at liberty to take positions and support candidate(s) of their choice, without fear or ill-will.
“In the light of the above, ICDA, as the umbrella organ of the Igala nation, is duty bound to retain, sustain and support the position that is in the best interest of the state and the Igala nation. Therefore, all Igala people at home and abroad are enjoined to support the candidate of Igala descent. ICDA stance is not on primordial and divisive tribal sentiments as being propagated by some Ebira persons in the media.
“We strongly believe in fairness, justice and equity, and will support any qualified, credible and resourceful governorship candidate from any part of the state. Thus, eight-year rule should not be mandatory and automatic in the face of this abysmal performance.
“The Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA), Kogi state chapter and key stakeholders have declared total support for Engr Musa Wada in the forthcoming November 2019 gubernatorial election and enjoin all sons, daughters and indeed all well-meaning citizens of Kogi state to follow this resolution in the interest of the people of the state.”
