I want to make it abundantly clear with out mincing words that I am not writing this piece on behalf of the Kogi Central senator elect, Dr. Yakubu Oseni, in my former capacity as his media coordinator. My assignment with him has expired since the successful completion of the National Assembly election which he won convincingly with overwhelming votes in a free, fair and credible poll.
Recall that all the international and local observers gave a verdict affirming that the election was conducted peacefully and creditably. The electoral umpire INEC announced the APC flag bearer, Dr. Yakubu Oseni as the rightful winner having met the required extant conditions and guidelines. The body also announced the candidate of SDP, Barr. Natasha Akpoti as runner up while the PDP flag bearer, Senator Salau Ogembe sat comfortably at the third position.
Looking back now, it is generally acknowledged that Natasha gave a good account of herself in the just concluded election for obvious reasons. Yes, she lost gallantly and received accolades from several quarters across the country. But her position in rejecting the votes recorded for all the three major candidates by INEC has put her up as a sore loser and a non democrat. It is my personal conviction that Natasha is behaving like a desperate and irresponsible political leader pursing a self serving and inordinate ambition.
As I write this piece, my mind is flooded with several posers for lady Natasha as she goes to court to go and ventilate her anger over her performance in the said election.
First, what gives Natasha any thought that she could win any election in Okene LGA and other local governments she is complaining about her performance?
As at today, Okene LGA is unquestionably a strong hold of APC and her candidate, Dr. Yakubu Oseni. If INEC conducts a free, fair and credible poll in Okene LGA 100 times, Natasha would certainly lose woefully because of certain established powerful forces in the area.
Recall that Okene is home to several grassroots politicians like Alhaji Yahaya Karaku, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Bello, Hon. Tijani Damisa, Hon. Lawi A .T Ahmed, Engr. Abubakar Ohere and the governor and APC leader in Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to mention but a few stakeholders in the area.
Viewed against this backdrop, it is my candid advice that Natasha should act like a patriot, good sport woman and nationalist and drop her avowed plan to go to court over her above average performance in the election.
As an emerging political leader, she should care about the prevailing fragile peace and relative security ambiance in Ebira land today and let the sleeping dog lie.
She should be told in clear terms that her court case lacks merit in its entirety. The election was not fraudulent as she claims. It was adjudged as free, fair and credible by all and sundry. All her so called evidences are nothing but tissues of hearsays and cocktails of lies. She should think and act like a patriot, nationalist and a peace loving leader.
If I were Natasha, I will accept my defeat in good faith. Congratulate the winner and move on with my life. Prepare myself for the next election save my energy, time and resources. Stop living in grand delusion that I can obtain victory through the back door.
If I were Natasha, I will think about Ebira project first, before my personal interest. But then yours sincerely is Otori Ozigi and not Natasha.
– Otori Ozigi is a veteran journalist, senior citizen and PR expert based in Kogi state.
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