By Yabagi Mohammed.
A socio – political youth group in Lokoja the Kogi State Capital, the Lokoja Consultative Youth Forum (LCYF) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello to consider the area in the state’s slot for the next Federal Executive Council.
A press statement signed and made available to journalists by the secretary of the forum, Comrade Abubakar Yakubu gave several reasons as to why Lokoja should be considered for the position.
According to the statement, ministerial positions have been zoned to Kogi west and the juicy position given to the Okun – speaking axis for three times and the people of Lokoja Local government denied the opportunity.
It added that the state’s three senatorial districts have been represented at the Federal Executive Council since its creation and recalled that Prof Eyitayo Lambo, Kola Jamodu, Bayo Ojo (SAN) and General David Jemibewon from Okun Kingdom have occupied ministerial posts at different times under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The secretary noted that the Ebira speaking part of the state – the Kogi Central also produced Mohammed Adoke (SAN) as minister during President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure and Kogi East had Architect Gabriel Aduku, Barrister Humphrey Abba and Professor Stephen Ocheni in the federal cabinet at different times.
“Our brother from Kogi Central (Ebira-kingdom) is currently occupying the governorship position, while our brothers from Kogi East (Igala-kingdom) hold the Deputy governor’s position and one of their own, Professor Ocheni had just completed the first tenure with President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is against this backdrop that we sincerely appeal to the political power wielders in both Kogi State and at the federal level to take a critical look at this issue with a view to correcting it by zoning the next minister for State to Lokoja.”
According to Comrade Abubakar, the people of the area were known as dedicated supporters of the APC since the party’s formation and have delivered for its candidates in all elections in the past, hence the need for them to be rightly compensated.
