Unease and intense political maneuvering are defining the eagerness with which aspirants are scheming to fill Kogi senatorial slots at the upper chambers. SAM EGWU writes
The Central Senatorial district race has opened with consultations going on. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is in the race with two candidates. They are former members of the Senate, Salihu Ohiare and Salihu Ohize . Their supporters say they are the best materials having known the operation of the Senate and are familiar with the terrain; therefore, any of them given the ticket could perform to the admiration of the people.
However, the supporters of Nurudeen Abatemi, who is the current member representing Kogi Central in the Senate puts the hope of the young man to return to the Senate in the next dispensation, very high. Suleiman Abdul, who spoke on behalf of the supporters in Okene during the presentation of cars, motorcycles, grinding/sewing machines, generators, poultry materials and clippers by the senator stated that they had not had it good like this before and so deserved a second term. Apart from that, others said his father’s glory is still working for him in the PDP.
Another aspirant is Ahmed Ogembe, the current chairman of Okene local government. Political watchers opine that that he has worked enough to deserve the consideration of the people of the central for the Senate seat. Hon Ahmed Ogembe on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been a strong contender in the struggle for the senatorial seat for quite sometime now. Given the present scenario, some analysts say that Ogembe should concentrate on the present chairmanship seat and use it effectively to win the people’s sympathy for the next dispensation.
The battle ground, political observers say, is mostly in Kogi West Senatorial district where it was gathered that zoning formula must be religiously adhered to. Also, it was learnt that the APC would give PDP a run for its money. Those who have indicated intention on the ticket of PDP are: Smart Adeyemi, the current senator representing the area and Musa Ahmadu, the former SSG to Kogi State government and former member of the House of representative from Lokoja/Kotokarfe Federal Constituency.
On the platform of the APC, there are two former members of the House of Representative and a serving member of Kogi House of Assembly also interested in the seat. They are: Hon Dino Melaye who represented Kabba/Bunu; Sam Aro, who represented Yagba East and West and Adebola Afolabi representing Yagba West in the State House of Assembly.
The test of power is coming up as the bell from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, tolls for the race, but from what is happening, the obvious would certainly unfold very soon. According to popular opinion, Smart Adeyemi has the upper hand. Informed Political analysts who know Kogi West Senatorial district have continuously said that with Dino’s declaration of intention to contest the senatorial seat, Smart may have it tough. They argued that Dino was the brain box for Smart’s campaign team as he knew the nitty gritty of the region’s politics.
It is speculated that sinceDino wants the seat, he would know where the currents of the water is high and deep, when the chips are down. Others, who do not follow that school of thought say, in that game,Senator Adeyemi is very smart and would outsmart all other contestants. They also argued that with the strength of business mogul, Chief Omokere, allegedly behind him, the game will become interesting. It was gathered recently that some contestants allegedly went to beg the iron rod magnate to allow all test their popularity. But for Dino Melaye, his followership, people say, is intimidating. Those who are in support of Dino say his actions in the House of Representatives, when he was there, clearly showed that he will do more when given higher responsibility. Given the reality on ground, they argue that Dino is a good material. Others stated that Dino may not have the needed fund like Senator Adeyemi has, but has huge contacts to tap resources from.
Another aspirant, Sam Aro, has demonstrated that he is prepared for the battle ahead when he declared his intention a couple of days ago. He urged his people to send him this time around to the Senate. Close observers say Aro has the financial muscles to confront Senator Adeyemi and get to the Senate. They argue that APC is stronger in the West to match PDP, a tough contest and with Sam Aro in the race now, it would be an open contest. Similarly, the scenario at Egbe during Capt Idris Wada ‘thank you’ visit to the area where the senator was allegedly booed attested to the argument.
Adebola Afolabi may be new in the game and in the House of Representatives but the suprise during his election to the House of Assembly is a clear indication that the grace of his father may work out for him this time again.
Kogi East Senatorial District may have the toughest contest as the race for the plum job gathers momentum. The gladiators so far, have at one time or the other served the nation and carved a niche for themselves, a move that further makes the race more interesting.
The four leading contestants for the Senate are all from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Currently the seat is being occupied by a two time member of the House of Representatives, Hon Attai Aidoko, who won his two time House of Representative seat on the platform of PDP, but later defected to All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP to win the Senate seat. Already, political watchers have tagged Kogi East Senatorial seat as contest of bigwigs. No doubt, as consultation continues, Attai Aidoko, during the ‘thank you’ tour of Capt Idris Wada to Olamaboro recently, told the gathering that “it is continuity 2015”.
Some informed politicians said unless is called to show tangible evidence of his eight years at the House of Representatives and four years in the Senate, otherwise, his godfather is always there to scale him through.
Kogi East is made of nine local governments, namely: Ankpa, Omala, Olamaboro, Idah, Ofu, Ibaji, Dekina, Bassa and Igalamela/Odolu. There could be other people from other political parties, but the people, who are planning to unseat Hon Attai Adoko, are all from his own party, the PDP.
Hon Hajia Halima Alfa, one time governorship aspirant and cordinator of SURE-P in north central zone is a strong contender whom people have said “If the men have failed us, let us try the women.
In the race also is Capt Joe Agada, a new entrant, who has been a campaign coordinator for Jonathan’s re-election in the north central zone. Joe Agada and Attai Aidoko are both from Olamaboro local government area.
The former Chief of Air Staff, AM Isaac Alfa, one time governorship contestant, and a strong contender in the last Senate race has posited that this time, it cannot escape his grip having learnt the lesson of political maneuvering. He has vowed that nobody would be given automatic ticket, this time around.
Amongst the contestants for the Senate in the senatorial zone in question are Abdul Abubakar alias (Railways). He has dusted his political credentials for the heavy fight. Attai Aidoko has never tasted defeat in his election and unless, all the grey areas are properly guarded, political analysts have said, Aidoko may swing suprises.
Most people have accused Senator Ahmadu Ali of being the brain behind Attai Aidoko’s success story, and argued that a level playing ground should be created for every contestant this time. Senator Ahmadu Ali remains a factor in Kogi politics.
Alfa (rtd)fought the air battle with flying colours rising to the rank of Air Marshal and Chief of Air Staff, CAS, but has not been able to unravel the mystery in politics. But his supporters who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday maintained that the best Kogi East can achieve from the Senate is to give Isaac Alfa the opportunity to serve. They argue further that Isaac’s connection at the higher levels would make a ready material for the job.
Some political heavy weights are still consulting and do not want to be mentioned . If former governor of Kogi state, Prince Abubakar Audu decides to show interest on whatever political party, either APC, PDP, APGA, LP or any newly registered party, he is a moving train, people will vote for him, even his closest enemies will vote for him.
This former landlord of Lugard House remains in the heart of so many people in the state, of which LEADERSHIP Sundaygathered bulldozed his way into the heart of the number one citizen of the country, but wished he were in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The ambition being pursued by Hajia Halima Alfa is legendary. She is from Idah Federal constituency where the Kogi political godfather, Senator Ahmadu Ali hails from in the state and she is married to Ankpa the political decider in the state. With her high connection at Aso Rock, all men should begin to pray hard to be able to stop her. It is gathered that she is very close to the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and Hajia Halima Idris Wada, the wife of Kogi State governor, who it was learnt wants a change in the candidature of the East Senatorial District Senate race to a woman to key into her women empowerment programme.That formed part of why Hajia Alfa was appointed by Capt Idris Wada as the chairperson of the governing board of College of Education Technical, Kabba.
