The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kogi State, Prince Audu Abubakar has pledged his commitment to Kogi tripartite agreement – a power rotation deal among the constituent groups of Igala, Ebira and Okun in Kogi.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Media Office, the APC candidate noted that this would ensure peace and mutual understanding for power rotation.
The former governor recalled that it was the challenges of political domination and neglect of the Igala in Benue State, the Okun and the Ebira in Kwara State that led to agitation for the creation of Kogi State for the three groups, which had lived together peacefully under Kabba Province for over 70 years.
He said: “I have told Kogi residents that when we mutually met at Engineer Sule’s house in Okene, in 1991, the three groups – the Igala, Ebira and Okun – met and said they believed in power rotation.
“When God, in His infinite mercy, spoke to the former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, to create Kogi State, we have a destiny in our hands. It was only fair to allow the Igala to have the first shot. For that, the reason adduced by the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi was that the component that came from Benue State, that is, the Igala, had never had the opportunity to produce the governor. But the second component from Kwara State, comprising the Ebira and the Okun, had had the opportunity in the late Adamu Attah, who was a Second Republic Governor of Kwara State.
“On that premise, it was agreed that we give it to Igala. Further, after the Igala, it was agreed that the governorship seat should return to the other components – the Okun and the Ebira – who should meet to determine the next person to have the seat after the Igala.
“I am the first beneficiary of the agreement. Thank God, I am still hale and hearty because most of those who reached the deal in good faith on behalf of our people are late.
“I have stood in the middle of Idah and Anyigba to tell Igalas that since we are brothers who had lived under the Kabba province, we must make sure we make our gentleman agreement reality so that we can have lasting peace and confidence in one another. I don’t lie or deceive people. I am the only person with moral compass and masses’ confidence that can do that,” it said.
He, however, maintained that violence should not be a means of power shift in state.
