As the 2019 election beckons, gladiators who are gunning for the governorship position in Kogi State have begun to strategise on how to wrestle power from the incumbent governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The governor who is in his first term is already working hard to ensure he obtains the APC ticket to seek a second term in office.
Recently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a mega rally in Lokoja where Governor Bello and President Muhammadu Buhari were endorsed for second term in office.
From all indications, the governor is most likely to fly the APC flag come 2019.
Bello had emerged governor of the state following the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the then governorship candidate of the APC in the November 21, 2015 election, who died on his way to victory.
He was among the 28 aspirants that contested for the APC ticket during the 2015 governorship election in the state where he came second after the late Prince Abubakar Audu.
Unlike in 2015 when the governorship position came to Alhaji Yahaya Bello more like on a platter of gold, he would need to work harder to contend with many gladiators in 2019 if his ambition of returning to Lugard House must be a reality.
One of the problems of the governor is the lingering face-off between him and the executive members of his party who have been working at cross purposes with him.
The crisis reached a crescendo recently when a parallel executive of the APC which is said to be loyal to the governor emerged in the state, operating from a parallel party secretariat.
Meanwhile, the Haddy Ametuo-led state executive of the party which the national leadership of the APC still recognises as authentic, has condemned the alleged plot by the governor to factionalise the party in the state, saying such would not augur well for the party ahead of 2019.
Another albatross of the governor would perhaps be the state’s civil servants who are said to be disenchanted with the outcome of the screening exercise recently carried out which saw a number of them laid off while others are being owed salaries.
Although, the governor has worked hard to address the issue of workers’ salaries, analysts still believe that the issue might still be a minus for him when electioneering begins in earnest if care is not taken.
Not minding the power of incumbency and financial muscle at the disposal of the governor, a number of gladiators are already warming up to give him a run for his money.
The governor on his part has not left things to chances as he has continued to strategise and woo more supporters to his camp.
Bello, while speaking recently at a mega rally in Lokoja where he received some defectors from the PDP, boasted that there was no other party in Kogi State apart from the APC.
Among the PDP bigwigs he has been able to woo to his camp are Senator Smart Adeyemi, Jibrin Isah Echocho, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku and some members of the House of Assembly.
He described those still in the opposition People’s Democratic Party as “sinners”.
No doubt, the 2019 election in Kogi State would be a fierce one and the contest would mainly be between Governor Bello and gladiators from Kogi East Senatorial District.
At the moment, it appears nobody has indicated interest to run for the governorship position from the Central Senatorial District where the governor hails from for the obvious reason that one of their own (Bello) would be in the race.
In the same vein, the people of the West Senatorial District have also not shown keen interest to run for the number one seat for now.
Five top contenders from the East Senatorial District are warming up to face Bello should he pick the APC ticket.
Barrister Abdullahi Haruna
Barrister Abdullahi Haruna who hails from Dekina LGA of the state was an Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice during the reign of the late former Governor Abubakar Audu.
He was a close ally of the late Audu and is said to be one of those behind some of the legacy projects executed by the late Audu.
It was learnt that the late Audu had reportedly planned to hand over power to him before his sudden death. He currently manages one of the biggest law firms in Kaduna State.
Haruna who has dumped the APC for the PDP is said to be enjoying good support from the late Audu’s political family.
Analysts believe that having such support is a plus for Haruna who is described as a “rugged” and grassroots politician who always matches words with action.
Dr. Joseph Ameh Erico
Dr. Erico is one of the top contenders who have summoned courage to openly declare his interest to contest for the number one seat.
Erico who hails from Olamaboro LGA of the state, is a security expert with a doctorate degree in Criminology.
He is said to have met with the state executives of the PDP to express interest and has equally been making wide consultations with critical stakeholders.
The aspirant though based in Lagos, has been frequenting home in recent times to meet with various groups and stakeholders as well as mobilise those that would work for his 2019 governorship project.
He is the MD/CEO of a security organization, Real Strikers Security Services Ltd based in Lagos and has received best security services awards from the Senate, the Inspector General of Police and Common Wealth Society of Nigeria, among others.
Erico, a seasoned businessman and philanthropist, is said to be gathering momentum to give Bello a run for his money when the whistle is blown for the 2019 race.
Engr. Musa Wada
He is the younger brother of a former governor of the state, Capt. Idris Wada, and hails from Dekina LGA of the state.
Engr Wada is equally a son in-law to former governor Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) who happens to be the leader of the PDP and a strong force to reckon with.
Although, Ibro has said that he would not impose any candidate on the people, pundits however say the former governor is actually having a soft spot for his son in-law for the governorship position.
Pundits describe Engr Musa Wada as a young and dynamic person who could make a better governor.
Although, Capt Idris Wada has not declared openly for the race, observers say he might do so. Whichever way the pendulum swings, either of the Wadas would no doubt be a strong contender to battle Bello.
Dr. Idris Omede
Dr. Omede is currently the President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN). He was a Commissioner for Health in Kogi State and former National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). He hails from Dekina. He has a wide political reach and would be among those that would pose a threat to the governor should he contest.
AVM. Saliu Atawodi
He is another contender who was among those that contested for the APC governorship ticket during the 2015 election but lost. He hails from Igalamela LGA of the state and is a recognized philanthropist and a grassroots politician.
It is said that the stakeholders from Kogi East would in the final analysis present and support a common candidate that will slug it out with Bello in their quest to get the power back.
