By Hajiya Aishat Oyiza Omade
It has become necessary to address the misconceptions and speculations from different quarters regarding the replacement of Senator Abubakar Sadiku Ohere as Kogi State Coordinator of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN).
Let me state clearly that, from my perspective and based on my participation in the process, there was no crack, no fight among the Governor’s men, and no crisis within the APC in Kogi State that necessitated the change. Rather, the development should be understood within the context of political inclusion, equitable representation, and the need to strengthen grassroots participation across the state.
At a meeting of Kogi stakeholders of RTIFN in Abuja, convened by the National Coordinator, several prominent stakeholders were present, including His Excellency Edward David Onoja, Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Hajiya Baiwa Salamatu, and others.
During the meeting, I raised an important observation: several coordinators of presidential support groups appeared to be concentrated in Okene Local Government Area, while other local government areas in Kogi Central had limited representation in comparable leadership positions.
After making my observation, I acknowledged Senator Ohere’s leadership capacity and immediately expressed my full support for him to succeed in the role. My position was not borne out of personal interest or opposition to any individual, but from a genuine desire to promote fairness, balance and inclusiveness.
Following Hon. David Zaccaharia voluntary resignation from the position to pursue his political career under the PDP, it was naturally expected that his deputy, a former Okehi Local Government Chairman, Hon. Amoka Eneji Monday ( Odu) would assume the leadership. However, I maintained that the position should not automatically return to Okehi but be Given to Adavi LGA, considering that I am also from the same local government and serve in the national executive structure of RTIFN. I strongly believed that other local governments in Kogi Central deserved an opportunity to be represented.
For clarity, consider the distribution of some presidential support group positions across the state:
- Arewa for Asiwaju State Coordinator, Abdulkareem Asuku, is from Okene LGA.
- PBAT Door-to-Door Coordinator for Kogi Central, Hon. Ahovi, is from Okene LGA.
- Arewa for Asiwaju Deputy Coordinator for Kogi Central, Hajiya Bilikisu Ahovi, is from Okene LGA.
- Renewed Hope Ambassador State Coordinator, Hon. Idris King, is from Okene LGA.
- Kogi City Boy Deputy Coordinator, Mamman Ovatuwa, is from Okene LGA.
- Kogi State City Boy Coordinator, Ogah Tony, is from Ibaji LGA.
- PBAT Door to Door State Coordinator, Hon. David Mark from Olamaboro
- Kogi State TSG Coordinator is from Kogi West, Chief David Dare Mayegun
- Hon. Juwon Olorunnipa ( JUMABEE) – Director of Entertainment, Kabba-Bunu LGA
These examples demonstrate why geographical balance and broader participation deserve serious consideration. If several key positions are concentrated in one local government area while Adavi, Okehi, Ajaokuta and Ogori-Magongo have limited representation in comparable positions, how can every part of Kogi Central feel equally involved in the Renewed Hope project and working towards Mr President re-election.
Political mobilisation is more effective when stakeholders feel a genuine sense of belonging and ownership. Every local government has its political structures, influential stakeholders, grassroots networks and committed supporters who can contribute meaningfully to political engagement. Inclusion is therefore not merely about sharing positions; it is about creating opportunities for wider participation, strengthening unity and building a more representative structure.
Against this background, the emergence of Alhaji Abdullahi Bello (Dollar), Former Apc state chairman and Current Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, who hails from Adavi LGA of Kogi Central, presents an opportunity to broaden representation and bring more stakeholders into the fold. As a former APC State Chairman and the serving Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, his emergence provides an opportunity to draw on his political experience while strengthening RTIFN’s organisational reach across Kogi State.
As Director-General of the Kogi State Social Investment Programme Agency (KOSSIPA), Public Relations Officer of NSIPA, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Directorate of Election planning, coordination, Monitoring/ Mobilization, and National Director of Planning of RTIFN, I understand the importance of deliberate planning, fairness and stakeholder inclusion in any political organisation.
My conviction remains simple: whenever we undertake a political assignment, we must do it properly and ensure that every region and local government has a fair opportunity to contribute. We cannot expect meaningful participation from stakeholders who continually feel excluded from the process.
Let us therefore put aside unnecessary speculation, personal interpretations and divisive narratives. The change in RTIFN’s Kogi State leadership should be understood in the context of the need for broader representation and organisational inclusion, rather than automatically interpreted as evidence of a political crisis.
I appreciate Senator Abubakar Sadiku Ohere for his service and contribution, and I congratulate Alhaji Abdullahi Bello (Dollar) on his emergence as the new Kogi State Coordinator of RTIFN.
– Hajiya Aishat Oyiza Omade wrote from Lokoja.
