Kogi 2023: Plan to retain Governorship in Central, return to east must be negotiated with Kogi West – Ohikere

Former Kogi state commissioner, Dr Tom Ohikere has maintained that Kogi West senatorial district deserves to produce the next governor of the state in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice.

In a statement made available to journalists on , Monday, he however said any plan to retain it in the central senatorial district or return it to the eastern senatorial district must be properly negotiated with Kogi West and in accordance with clearly understood principles and within clearly defined perimeters

According to Ohikere who is the chairman of the Coalition of Kogi state Patriots, all stakeholders must be given the opportunity to make in inputs in any developments on the power retention and power rotation matter in the interest of the unity and coherence of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kogi state.

Ohikere said while Kogi Central still have a chance and opportunity and even the goodwill to continue in the occupation of the Lugard house it must ensure that Kogi West gets it due recognition, compensation and and firm promise in the interest of the stability in the state.

Ohikere said, “In the last few months, I have successfully advocated for power rotation to Kogi west because of my Godly belief in fairness and justice. Our advocacy used the Coalition of Kogi state Patriots as an official vehicle for the campaign and a lot of consultation and networking alliances has been achieved and today we are a leading force in the call for power rotation to kogi west in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

“Without power rotation or any attempt to dump it may be inimical to the growth of democracy in Kogi state.

“We at the Coalition of Kogi State Patriots are convinced that after eight years of the governorship in Kogi Central and nineteen years in Kogi East, it is appropriate and perfect timing for it to swing to the west which has never tested power despite the pivotal role it has always played in the political equation of Kogi state, whether when the governorship was wielded by the East or Central but if Kogi Central chooses to retain it, it must negotiate with other districts particularly Kogi West in the interest of the pregnant future of Kogi state.”

Speaking further, Ohikere said, “All over the world, you have been hearing discordant tunes from individuals and various groups. They are complaining of one form of marginalization or the other, and that is why I am involved in advocacy for power rotation.
“Though some unpatriotic elements are presently preoccupied with how to secure power, how to retain power in Kogi Central or move it back to kogi east rather than being concerned about kogi west which has never been considered.

” There seems some distrust between GYB and the Kogi West, if not doesn’t he have members of his cabinet from Kogi West who have also purchased the form for the gubernatorial contest, so he should do the needful, bring all the stakeholders together and fashion out a formula of possible succession and power rotation that is agreeable with the stakeholders in the APC, especially Kogi West, Ohikere added.

*So far the aspirants who have indicated interest, picked forms and screened are the incumbent Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Abdulkareem Mohammed Jamiu; the incumbent Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Edward David Onoja; the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the APC, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka; member representing Oshodi federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Abiodun James Faleke; a serving Senator, Yakubu Oseni; and son of the late former governor of Kogi State, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu.

Others in the race are; former Accountant General of Kogi State, Alhaji Jubril Momoh; the Auditor General of Kogi State, Mallam Yakubu Yusuf Okala; the State Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris; lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Smart Adeyemi; former minister of State for Labour and Employment in Buhari’s first term, Prof Stephen Ocheni; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftiancy Affairs, Salami Momodu Ozigi; lawyer and politician, Halima Alfa; Kogi State Auditor-General for Local Government, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo; GM, Business Development (FCT/North) at eTranzact; Jimoh Adebanjo; and Chairman/CEO of Hamif Real Estate Nigeria Ltd, Chief Friday Idachaba.