20th May, 2025.
Your Excellency,
Executive Governor of Kogi State,
Government House,
Lokoja, Kogi State.
AN URGENT APPEAL FOR INCLUSION AND FULFILLMENT OF CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO IBAJI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.
Your Excellency Sir,
I write to you today not just as an individual citizen, but as a voice for a community that feels increasingly unheard, neglected and disillusioned. As the President of Ibaji Progressive Youth, I bear witness daily to the struggles and aspirations of my people in Ibaji Local Government Area, and it is with a heavy heart, yet resolute determination, that I pen this letter to draw your attention to our critical situation.
During your compelling campaign for the governorship of our dear state, you crisscrossed the length and breadth of Kogi, articulating a vision of hope, progress, and inclusive governance. Your promises resonated deeply with the people of Ibaji. You spoke of ushering in an era of good and quality governance, an era where essential infrastructure would not be a luxury but a fundamental right. Specifically, you assured us of significant strides in critical areas: good roads that connect our communities and facilitate commerce, standard healthcare facilities that cater to the well-being of our families, and stable power supply that energizes our homes and businesses. These were not mere political platitudes; they were promises that ignited a spark of hope in the hearts of average Ibaji citizens, who for too long have felt marginalized and overlooked.
We listened, We believed, And significantly, we acted. The people of Ibaji, through their democratic expression at the polls, placed their trust in you. Ibaji local government contributed a significant 25% of the votes that ultimately secured your victory and propelled you into the esteemed office you currently hold. We saw this as an investment in our future, a down payment on the promises you made.
Your Excellency, we have waited, We have waited with patience, with diminishing hope, and now, with growing concern. As time has passed, the tangible evidence of these promised developments in Ibaji has been conspicuously absent. Our roads remain dilapidated, worse than before, turning journeys into arduous, sometimes impossible, treks, hindering economic activity and making access to healthcare and education a significant challenge. The healthcare facilities are a far cry from the ‘standard’ you envisioned, often lacking basic equipment and personnel, leaving our people vulnerable to preventable illnesses. Stable power supply remains a distant dream for the vast majority, stifling local businesses and impacting the quality of life.
Recent developments have only served to deepen our dismay. The widely circulated list of road rehabilitation projects across Kogi State was released, and to our profound disappointment and anguish, Ibaji Local Government Area was glaringly omitted. How can a community that contributed so significantly to your mandate be so completely invisible when it comes to the distribution of critical state projects? This omission stings, Your Excellency, and it raises deeply troubling questions in the minds of our people.
Is it, Your Excellency, a crime to have voted for you? Did the 25% of votes that played a crucial role in securing your election victory somehow offend you or the administrative structures you now oversee? These are the questions being whispered in homes and discussed in community gatherings across Ibaji. It is a painful sentiment fueled by the stark reality of our neglect.
Your Excellency, the next electoral cycle is fast approaching. The political landscape of our state will soon be dominated by campaigns and promises once again. I ask on behave of Ibaji People, with genuine curiosity and a touch of apprehension: what narrative will you present to the people of Ibaji during the next campaign? What concrete achievements in our local government will form the basis of your appeal for their continued support? The promises of the past, as vital and hopeful as they were, have yet to materialize. How will you bridge this gap and demonstrate that the trust we placed in you was not misplaced?
There is also a quiet, yet palpable, concern among our people regarding the future of our democracy and the sanctity of the electoral process. Will you rely on fulfilling your promises to earn the support of the people, or is there a belief that the position of governor can be held or reoccupied through means other than the genuine will of the electorate, freely expressed through their votes? Your Excellency, the democratic participation of Ibaji people in your election was a testament to their belief in the democratic process and the power of their vote. Any perception that this fundamental right might be disregarded or undermined is deeply unsettling and damaging to the relationship between the government and the governed.
Your Excellency Sir, the simple truth is that my people are suffering. We are not happy. We are not enjoying the benefits of your government in the way that communities with less electoral impact seem to be. The disparity is glaring and demoralizing. Ibaji is not an island; it is an integral part of Kogi State. We contribute our resources, our manpower, and our unwavering loyalty to the state. As such, we deserve equal inclusion in all projects, programs, and activities initiated and executed by the state government. The principles of fairness, equity, and inclusive development demand that Ibaji should not be left behind.
I appeal to you directly, Your Excellency, on behalf of every man, woman, and child in Ibaji Local Government Area. I appeal to your conscience, to your commitment to serving all the people of Kogi State, regardless of their geographical location or political affiliation after the election. We are not asking for preferential treatment; we are simply asking for our fair share. We are asking for the fulfillment of the promises that earned you our trust and our votes.
Even if it is just one significant, tangible project, Your Excellency, please do something for Ibaji. Rehabilitate a critical road that opens up our community, equip a healthcare center that can genuinely save lives, or improve our access to electricity to power our collective progress. A single, impactful project would demonstrate that you hear us, that you see us, and that our contributions and our needs are valued. The painful neglect and the feeling of being forgotten are difficult burdens for our people to bear. A positive action, however singular, would be a powerful symbol of hope and a demonstration that your government is indeed for all Kogites.
We understand the complexities of governance and the numerous demands on your administration. However, the plight of Ibaji is a pressing issue that requires your urgent attention. We remain hopeful that this letter will not be dismissed but will serve as a catalyst for immediate and meaningful action.
We respectfully await your favorable response and, more importantly, the tangible evidence of your commitment to the development and inclusion of Ibaji Local Government Area.
With profound respect and sincere hope,
Comr. Apeh Kelvin Abuchi
President, Ibaji Progressive Youth.
CC:
Deputy Governor of Kogi State
Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly
Hon. Commissioner for Works and Housing, Kogi State
Hon. Commissioner for Health, Kogi State
Hon. Commissioner for Rural Development, Kogi State
Chairman Ibaji LGA
Chairman Traditional Rulers Ibaji LGA.
