By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
Indigenes of Kogi State from Okun land have passed a vote of confidence in the Governor of the State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, former Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and the leadership of the APC in Kogi State.
The Okun people, who said they are representing the true voice of partisan and non-partisan sons and daughters, condemned comments credited to one Bashorun Adeyemi against both the former Governor and his successor, saying that he was only a mouthpiece of some Abuja-based political jesters and not authorized to speak on behalf of the Okun people.
Addressing a press conference in Lokoja on Thursday, the Coordinator, Okun United for Justice, Eniola Olayemi, noted that the Okun nation was not known for ethnic bigotry and was fully committed to the success of the present administration in Kogi State.
Olayemi asserted that the immediate past Governor was the most successful in the history of the State, adding that the November 11 Governorship election in Kogi State was free, fair and credible.
“To set the record straight, Bashorun Adeyemi has no right whatsoever to speak for or on behalf of the Okun nation. He was just the mouthpiece of some Abuja-based political jesters who failed in their political conquest agenda on the Okun people and the people of Kogi State.
“The Okun nation is made up of intellectual giants and we are known to be grateful people. The establishment of the Kogi State University, Kabba has wiped away our shame as a nation.
“The Kabba Township roads rehabilitation, construction of the GYB Model Secondary School at Okebukun, establishment of a Rice Mill at Ejiba, building and equipping of an ultra-modern GYB Model Hospital in Isanlu as well as the remodelling of GDSS Takete Ide, among others, are enough to remain grateful to the administration of His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello, CON, forever.
“An Okun man or woman doesn’t repay good with evil. That was the reason our people in all the towns and villages came out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 11, 2023 polls.
Okun is not known for ethnic sentiments. Our judgment is based on who will deliver good governance. The Government of APC showed beyond doubt that Okun is at the centre of its plans, and our results showed clearly where we belong.
“We make it categorically clear that the election of November 11, 2023 in Kogi State was free, fair and credible. No incident was recorded in Kogi West and Kogi Central from their dust of defeat to throw tantrums on the intelligence of the Okun nation.
“Now, our children can go to a state-owned University in Kabba. This must have been a big pain to those who said GYB doesn’t love Okunland. They have nothing more to say to demarket the most successful Governor in the history of our State, so they have chosen to resort to dropping the name of Okunland in their shameless dance.
“We the people of Okunland are solidly behind the administration of His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo. We are big stakeholders, having delivered over 90% of our votes to him. The APC lost only Yagba East marginally to Elder Leke Abejide. All the other Okun local government areas delivered to the APC massively, including the Local Government of Sen. Dino Melaye and the hidden hand causing problems in Okunland with his supporters.
“Henceforth, we will not sit by and watch a few sadists pitch us against the people of Kogi Central with whom we share a lot of affinities, including our being together in the old Kwara State. Shortly before the election, some people sponsored by an Ijumu man based in Lagos wrote a lengthy communique to discredit APC and its candidate. Now that the people didn’t listen to them, they are in agony and venting it through an unknown individual,” he stated.
He added that Okun land would continue to partner with the other Senatorial Districts to position the District for the future.
“No amount of sowing bad blood can stop our resolve to support the present administration that has shown respect towards the Okun nation.The Okun people who worked and delivered the District for the APC are the true patriots of the Okun nation. The future will justify this position,” Olayemi added.
He called on the Governor and the leadership of the APC to disregard the inconsequential position of Bashorun Adeyemi and his Abuja paymasters, adding that, the Okun nation spoke unmistakably in the November Poll and will speak even louder in 2027.