A formidable youth group, Coalition of Okun and Ebira Youths (COEY) said it has adopted Kutepa as its consensus candidate for the rescheduled governorship poll.
The coalition’s spokesperson, Comrade Alex Babalola, said that the group came to the conclusion that it was time for the Igala in Kogi East to allow other senatorial districts to wield power.
He said: “The multi-ethnic nature of Kogi State has more advantages than disadvantages if only we can bring our various qualities together to build a great state. That is why Kutepa, a minority should be the bridge to bring all our people together. It is about mutual confidence; it is about seeing power as a tool for equitable development, unity and progress.”
The decision reached was after much consultations and studying the mood of the state. It is believed that the Igala have had enough of power having ruled the state from inception in 1991.
There are however suggestions that some highly placed Okun people may not support Kutepa. While Senator Smart Adeyemi who represents the West zone in the Senate has not made known his preference, there are suggestions that he may endorse Echocho. Some analysts say the Senator has ambition to governor the state in the future and may therefore need the support of the Igala. This may be a trading point since Kutepa is from the minority part of the West, a non Okun.
In a reaction to the development COEY advised the senator to be mindful of his activities and utterances as it could be inimical to the collective aspirations and uncompromising quest for power shift. It stated that Kogi State is bigger than PDP, while urging all the political parties involved in the race to ensure strict adherence to internal democracy.
COEY noted: “PDP is not a religion but power shift is. We don’t mind sponsoring our candidate in another party should the PDP shut its doors against Kutepa.
This is beyond PDP. We are not politicians but a group of like minds out to advance the actualization of equity and justice in the power sharing formula among the components units and in the best interest of Kogi people”.
