With all sense of modesty, we wish to bring to the attention of our brothers and sisters from Okun-speaking political axis on our collective determination that come 2015, we shall be asking for the senate seat on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This noble aspiration, came up after exhaustive deliberations with concerned patriots from Lokoja-Kogi(Koto) bloc, due consultations with its apex leadership and holistic review of the subsisting ‘gentleman’ agreement between the Okun bloc on one hand and Lokoja-Kogi(Koto) bloc on the other hand which even pre-dated the current democratic dispensation.
It would be recalled that in 1997, during the late General Sani Abacha’s transition, some prominent Okun politicians came up with the idea , that for Kogi West Senatorial District to better its chances of winning the governorship position in the state, it would be expedient to concede the senate seat to their sister-political axis of Lokoja-Koto. This strategy paid up as Alhaji Shuaibu from Kogi (Koto) local government area got elected on the UNCP platform, while late Architect Steve Olorunfemi who also flew the ticket of the UNCP in the state lost to Prince Abubakar Audu.
However, the joy of this political arrangement was short-lived due to the sudden death of General Sani Abacha which ultimately terminated the transition period. But the spirit of the political understanding between the two power blocs was nonetheless sustained by those distinguished visionary Okun leaders, some of whom are alive today while some had passed on. This was what had enabled these same leaders led by the late sage, Chief S.B. Awoniyi to insist on the continuity of the Kogi West Senatorial Agenda which had been in place.
The preamble above shows that the fourth republic politics which started in 1999, still respected this ‘gentleman’ understanding on the rotation of the senate seat between the Okun axis (Kabba-Bunu and Yagba Federal Constituencies) and Lokoja-Kogi (Koto) Federal Constituency of the senatorial district.
For the sanctity of truth and to consolidate this unity of purpose in the district, the leaders of thought led by Pa S.B Awoniyi at the Plaza Hotel, Lokoja in 1999 announced that Okun political bloc had once again considered the imperative of justice, equity, fairness and good neighbourliness by conceding the senate seat to the Lokoja-Kogi (Koto) political bloc, as Okun bloc according to him, would be contesting for the governorship ticket in the state and would want all of us in the senatorial district to be united for the pursuit of the cause. This was holistically pursued with collectivity, which saw Senator Tunde Ogbeha from Lokoja LGA winning the first senate seat in 1999 and went ahead to win again for his second term in 2003. In return, we in Lokoja-Koto bloc too massively supported late Arc Steven Olorunfemi not only to win the PDP governorship primaries in the state but also voted massively for his candidature.
We all did this, in the realization that we had in place a workable, desirable and sustainable ‘KOGI WEST SENATORIAL AGENDA’ that may outlive any of us operating it today.
In 2007, to respect the rotation formular, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, inspite of promptings and persuasions to run for a third term, declined with apparent faith in the ‘gentleman’ agreement, on the senate seat which was the exclusive preserve of the Okun bloc, made of the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu – Smart Adeyemi and Chief Mrs Comfort Aiyepeku and six aspirants from the Yagba axis – Yomi Awoniyi, Sam Akande, Shola Ojo, T.J. Faniyi, F.G. Ibrahim, Dolapo Abanida, keenly competed for the PDP senate ticket. Chief Smart Adeyemi won the ticket with the active support of the Lokoja-Koto delegates. We won the election overwhelmingly against his major rival in the ANPP – late Ahmadu Sheidu, also an Okun candidate. Senator Smart Adeyemi, the incumbent Senator, re-contested in 2011 for the second term against yet his fellow Okun rivals from the Yagba axis – Hon. T.J. Faniyi, whom he defeated, courtesy of the overwhelming support of the delegates from Lokoja-Koto bloc.
In all these two contests from 2007 through 2011, no aspirant from Lokoja-Koto axis indicated interest because of our firm belief in nurturing and sustaining this enviable, beneficial legacy of the senate rotation established understanding.
With the above scenario, it is logical in every sense that come 2015, when the Okun bloc would have enjoyed its uninterrupted rotation, the senate seat would without any controversy revert to Lokoja-Koto. This has been our basic understanding from the onset, i.e. inter-geographical bloc rotation between Okun speaking bloc and the Lokoja-Koto ethnic bloc. We do not know of any change of the rule mid-way into this game.
Lokoja-Kogi (Koto) Bloc is Currently Marginalised in Kogi West.
There is no gainsaying the fact that as the political configuration in the Kogi West senatorial district stands today, Lokoja-Koto axis is a victim of inexplicable marginalization in the sharing of the three major political offices that are meant for the two geo-political blocs.
The three positions under reference are those of:
- The state deputy governor
- The state PDP chairman
- The senate seat
We all know that Arc Yomi Awoniyi of Yagba Federal Constituency is the current deputy governor. Also, Alhaji Hassan Salawu of Yagba Federal constituency is the current PDP chairman in the state in the last four years or so, while Senator Smart Adeyemi of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal constituency is the current senator serving his two-terms in office to end in 2015.
It is evident for any discernible mind to understand the premises of our agitation. It is an abnormal practice and procedure in politics that three estates meant to be inherited by two legitimate brothers, will result in the sidelining of one to the advantage of the other, without cogent justification.
The question that comes to every one’s lips is this; is Lokoja-Koto bloc no longer part of the Kogi West Senatorial District?
In spite of this lopsided distribution of these elective offices that are been occupied by our Okun brothers, we still observe the needed peace, patience, cooperation with the hope that the PDP as a party that enjoys the equalled loyalty and support from Lokoja-Koto axis, more than any other axis in the senatorial district, will see the wisdom in supporting our quest for the senate seat in 2015, which is the natural sequence of the existing zoning formular anchored on justice, fairness and equity
Signed by
Chief Gabriel Agoyi (Forum Chairman)
Lokoja/Kogi(Koto) Democratic Forum (LKDF)
Office: No 234, Salihu Ibrahim Road, Opposite Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State.
