Razaq Bamidele
As Kogi, a prominent state in the North-Central region of Nigeria gears up to hold its governorship election on Saturday, November 11, 2023, what is visible on the political surface in the state now is that the contest appears to be a two-horse race between the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) and the most formidable opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Kogi is one of the four states where governorship elections will hold on the same date.
While Hon. Ododo Ahmed Usman will fly the flag of the APC as gubernatorial candidate, Senator Dino Melaye will be the PDP flag bearer. Though there are more activities in the camp of the Ododo of the APC than what is happening in the camp of Melaye, experience had shown that what matters in political contest can be likened to what is obtainable on the field of football where the decision of the referee counts at the last blast of the whistle. It is the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that will declare who the winner is at the end of the day. After that, anybody, who is not pleased can then proceed to the Tribunal for redress.
However, the reason for the bubbling activities in the APC is understandable. Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) is from the APC and that is an added advantage, as whatever he does in the state is naturally viewed as part of giving account of his stewardship. And hardly could he put up appearance at any occasion without introducing his in-coming successor.
Besides, it is natural, especially in this clime, for people to want to identify with the people in the corridors of power. Hence paying homages by people across religious divides political affiliations, socio-cultural associations and even the traditional and professionals are always the order of the day.
However, as all these painted above scenarios go on in the state, the PDP flag bearer known for his bold and brave grassroots politician, Senator Dino Melaye seems not bothered by the hustling and bustling on the other side exhibiting a rare confidence of a battle tested and election-winning trait. To say the fact, Melaye has been in the House of Representative and also in the Upper Legislative House of Senate.
Some of the activities would suffice here to buttress the assertion that expectedly, there is no dull moment in Kogi State now, in fact silence and dull moments are naturally alien to election period the world over.
As stated ealier, the ruling APC continues to gain significant support from the people, with members of opposition parties increasingly joining the APC and endorsing Hon Ododo Ahmed Usman, the APC gubernatorial candidate.
On a Wednesday evening recently, Governor Bello played host to the entire PDP structure from Olamaboro Local Government Area, led by Senator Attai Aidoko Ali, into the APC.
Welcoming the group, Governor Bello commended the members for their courageous decision to join the ruling party and contribute to the state’s development reiterating his commitment to maintaining an inclusive government, where both longstanding and new APC members are afforded equal opportunities to work towards the overall welfare of the people.
Bello used the opportunity of the visit to emphasise the significance of fostering unity among ethnic groups within the state. just as he acknowledged the division that existed along ethnic lines when he assumed office, expressing satisfaction that the current administration under his leadership had been able to successfully unite the people towards a common goal, considering this unity a lasting legacy.
Senator Attai Aidoko Ali, speaking on behalf of the delegation, stressed that the current agenda before the people was National Political Integration, wherein individuals could actively participate in prominent roles that would bring honour and glory to the state.
The senator also asserted the need for a broad-based coalition that transcends party and ethnic lines in order to achieve the overall progress and development of Kogi State criticizing the proponents of ethnic agenda who he described as narrow-minded and detrimental to the state’s advancement.
He advocated for a more inclusive approach that prioritizes the interests of all Kogi State residents, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, pointing out that, by rejecting divisive politics and embracing a broader vision, Senator Aidoko believes that Kogi State can achieve greater unity and collective prosperity.
He therefore highlighted Governor Yahaya Bello’s influential position within the ruling party at both the federal and state levels, asserting that Bello serves as the ideal catalyst to integrate Kogi into the mainstream of national political participation, commending Governor Bello for his administration’s achievements, and urged him to steadfastly pursue his vision for a greater Kogi State, free from narrow-minded agendas.
Expectedly, the delegation pledged unwavering support and expressed their commitment to stand firmly behind the governor at all times. Drawing on his extensive political experience in both chambers of the National Assembly over 16 years, Senator Aidoko vowed to utilize his political capital, which spans across the state, particularly in the Eastern Senatorial District, to ensure the victory of the APC candidate in the November 11 governorship election.
The delegation that accompanying Senator Aidoko consisted of the pioneer State Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, the former Chairman of the PDP Olamaboro Local Government Area, ward chairmen and secretaries, as well as other key party stakeholders.
In the same vein, over 300 appointees who served in the administration of former Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, also came calling to commend Governor Yahaya Bello over what they described as the complete turn-around of critical sectors of Kogi State, saying they had decided to totally submit to his leadership.
They also declared their total support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 11 polls, Usman Ododo, describing his detribalised personality as a good selling point.
Speaking on behalf of the others during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Lokoja, the leader of the delegation and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abubakar Sadiq Ainoko, highlighted specifically that it was pleasant to see that the first flyover in the state had been watered to fruition by the pragmatic leadership of Governor Bello, adding that the project completion had improved the rating of Lokoja in terms of aesthetics.
He said, “The Reference Hospital at Okene and of course the establishment of two citadels of learning – Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara (CUSTECH) and Kogi State University, Kabba – are also legacies that the people of Kogi State will cherish till eternity.
The former appointees also lauded the recognition of their Principal, Captain Idris Wada, as the first leader of the state visited by the Governorship Candidate of APC, Usman Ododo, during his post primary election ”Kogi Agenda’’ consultation.
The beat goes on when Governor Bello received members of the family of the late political icon and former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, on a ‘thank you visit’ in Abuja where he briefly recounted the process that led to the choice of Prince Shaibu, asserting that equity, fairness, and justice always come first in his decision-making.
He stressed that importance of unity and tolerance among the three senatorial districts of Kogi State can never be over-emphasized, stating that tribal sentiment has no place in modern politics assuring therefore that the minister-designate, Prince Shaibu, of his unwavering support, believing he will go far and make the nation proud by building on his father’s legacy.
Barrister Eke Maimunat Audu, speaking on behalf of the family, expressed deep appreciation to Governor Bello for submitting Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu’s name for the ministerial appointment believing that the minister-designate would deliver with excellence, making both the state and Nigeria proud.
Prince Kabir Arome Audu remarked that their late father’s wish was for his legacy of good governance and a united Kogi State to continue.
He praised Governor Bello for providing a platform for the continuous existence of Audu’s legacy in Nigerian politics by nominating Prince Shaibu, among thousands of qualified candidates from Kogi State.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Igbo Community in the State also joined the trend by throwing their weight behind the candidature of the APC, Ododo assuring him of victory.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, has also thrown its support behind the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji. Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The Association made the pledge when Ododo paid a visit to the entire leadership of the Christian body, saying it is time to reward the good gesture of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Speaking on behalf of the Christian body in Kogi State, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, His Eminence Special Apostle Emmanuel Adebayo,said no governor in the history of Kogi State has done what Governor Bello has done for Christians, hence, the resolve to support the candidate of the APC.
His words: “Governor Yahaya Bello has done what no Governor had ever done for the Christians of Kogi State. He has been a great support to the Christian body in the state and has created an environment for peaceful worship and religious harmony.
“He has also built a magnificent Chapel for Christian worship inside the Government House. For a Muslim to do such for the Christians, he deserves our prayers and support.
“It is not a surprise therefore that the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria conferred on him the title of the ‘Friend of the Christians’.
“The church will continue to support the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello and by extension, your aspiration to succeed him”.
Earlier, the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo thanked the body of Christ for their support for the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello.
According to the Information Commissioner, the choice of Ododo is in line with the determination to continue with the bond between the church and the New Direction Administration.
He said, “Ododo has the fear of God; he is humble and ready to serve the people. Those campaigning on the platform of religion should be disregarded as some of their conducts do not conform to the Christian spirit of love, humility and humanitarianism.
“Ododo will be yours, he will listen to you and he will promote religious harmony,” he said.
In a related development, the Igbo Community in Lokoja has declared “total support” for the APC Governorship Candidate, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The assurance was given when the candidate visited the Igbo Community at a well attended town hall meeting in Lokoja.
The leader of the delegation and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Deedat Ozigi assured the Igbo Community of the readiness of Alhaji Ododo to work with them and support their aspirations.
The APC Governorship Candidate, Ahmed Usman Ododo assured the Igbo Community of his commitment to working with them for the social economic and commercial development of the state.
Responding, the President General of the Igbo Community in Lokoja, Chief Sunday Nwachukwu said the Igbos in Lokoja have resolved to give their votes to the APC Governorship Candidate, Ododo.
PDP Candidate, Dino Melaye’s response
However, the PDP candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, known for being outspoken, vocal and outgoing did not allow the APC and his candidate, Ododo dominate the terrain when he fired back via a media parley in Abuja that was widely reported across board.
With various headlines like; Why PDP will win Kogi Guber Race, Why APC will not win Kogi and so on, Senator Dino Melaye chronicled merits of the PDP and demerit of the APC and concluded that, victory of the November 11 governorship election in the state belongs to his party, PDP.
The media quoted Melaye, as saying that, “the PDP still remains the party to beat in the upcoming elections because of the level of devastation being left behind by the outgoing All Progressives Congress administration,” saying, this is the take away from a meeting of Kogi PDP stakeholders from the three Senatorial zones of the state, with the Members of the National Working Committee at the party‘s National Secretariat, in Abuja.
His words as quoted by the Vanguard Newspaper “PDP is going to win the election in Kogi State because we have never had it so bad in the history of Kogi State.
“Our people were impoverished, salaries have not been paid, pensions have not been paid, gratuity has not been paid, the health sector is non-existent, in fact, all the General Hospitals in the state are mere consulting clinics.
“Education has gone moribund, this is what the PDP is coming to ameliorate and palate. I want to assure you that by the grace of God. With the resolutions of this meeting, with the strategy adopted in this meeting, PDP is good to go in Kogi State.
“My charge to Kogi State is that they should not be intimidated by the APC, by the threat, violence, the humiliation by the APC should not deter them from exercising their Democratic rights. I want to assure you that we will protect our people.”
Earlier in his remarks, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, also expressed confidence that the party will emerge victorious at the poll, stating that, “the party’s leadership decided to convene the meeting in order to ensure that no stone was left unturned to ensure every party member and supporter in the state was on-board before the election, adding, “We have already seen prospects in the coming election in Kogi election, so this meeting is to know what your challenges are and to know how to work on the reconciliation before the election.”
Concluding, he said: “I am delightful to tell you that the Osun State Governor who is the Chairman of the Kogi Campaign committee has promised that he will go to each zone to seat down with you on a Zonal basis. He will campaign in all these places and he is very much alive to this responsibility in Kogi.”
The above painted scenarios are normal and integral part of electioneering in party politics especially when election is very much at the corner. In Kogi State, November 11, is the D-Day.