Kogi Assembly Speaker Assumes Duty as Acting Governor

As Governor Yahaya Bello jets out in the company of President Muhammadu Buhari to Poland, the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Kolawole Matthew has gone viral for publishing himself on Facebook as the Governor of Kogi State, in acting capacity.

Gov Bello is in Katowice, Poland amongst the Presidential delegation to the 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from December 2nd to 4th.

He may have bypassed his Deputy, Simon Achuba, handing over the leadership of the State to the Speaker.

Matthew meanwhile took to facebook to announce his new promotion in thanksgiving to God, asking for prayers.

"I thank God Almighty for continually promoting me, praise God and pray along with me as I assume duty as the Acting Governor of Kogi State," he posted.

While this has raised threads of reactions on social media, it was however said that the Deputy Governor who was supposed to be acting, had embarked on an annual leave.

The Mood of Ebira Nation as We Await 2019 General Elections

By Otori Ozigi

Unarguably, Ebiraland is gripped in miasma of open politicking, a reflection of electioneering process as witnessed in other climes in the country today at a time the whole Nation is caught up in active politics.

As you may be aware already, next year is an important one in the political evolution of this country, needless to say that there will be four major elections to be conducted by INEC in virtually all the states of the federation. Let me remind us that next year will witness presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives and, finally, state houses of assembly elections, all taking place on a staggered timetable as released by the electoral umpire, INEC.

Recall that the electoral body recently lifted the ban on open campaigns and rallies. Consequently and expectedly, our political class have already gone to the trenches and mapping out various strategies for their full participation in the game of politics come 2019.

Now, let talk about the mood of Ebira Nation. In the spirit of open politicking by major players and party gladiators, palpable anxiety and worrisome happening pervade the polity today.

Let me remind us that come February next year INEC has fixed senatorial election to be conducted in accordance with the umpire guidelines to serve as a template for the polls. In compliance with this guidelines, Alhaji Yakubu Oseni who is running on the ticket of APC, Barr Natasha Akpoti on the ticket of SDP and Senator Ogembe on the platform of PDP are unarguably going to face the verdicts of the electorates come rain come sunshine. One of them will eventually carry on his or shoulder the destiny of over four million Anebira.

At this juncture, I want to enjoin the electorates to shine their eyes very well before casting their votes for the candidates of their choice. I want to appeal to the electorate not to sell their conscience for pecuniary gains or other mundane considerations. They should remember that they carry the burden of the rest of us.

This journalist want to caution the three candidates not to resort to violence or any other unwholesome conduct that may derail our peace. Gone are the days when our politicians would seek political offices through the barrel of the guns and open coercion, senseless buying and selling of votes.

Certainly, this is the time for us to get it right so that Ebiraland can witness a new dawn. Yes! We must get it right this time around. It is my hope that the best candidate should emerge through a credible, free and fair process.

– Otori Ozigi is a former Public Relations officer of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Journalist and Public Relations Expert.

Adavi Administrator Appoints More Political Aides

credits to EbiraReporters

Administrator of Adavi Local Government Area, Joseph Omuya Salami has added fresh hands into his retinue of cabinet members.

The Council Boss announced the new appointees on Thurday at the Local Government Secretariat, while also inaugurating an Audit Committee on Secondary Schools in the council.

The new appointees will be joining the no fewer than 140 appointed earlier in June, 2018.

The new aides are Isah Ismaila Ozi, the Chief of Staff; Yakubu Sumaila, as Special Adviser on Security; and Yunusa Osuwa, Supervisor of Special Duty.

The Administrator  thanked the former Appointees for their contributions to Adavi LG.

In the same vein, Salami tasked the new audit committee on thorough and objective assignment, and the submission of reports in two weeks. 

Why Engr. Joseph Bello Is Best For Adavi-Okehi Federal Constituency

As 2019 draw close with a lot of political exploits going on as a build up to what the shape of what our political structures should look like all over the nation. Aside seeking supporters by every intending aspirants, it is pertinent to bring forwards what distinguishes Engr. Joseph Asuku Bello (JAB) from his contemporaries.

We have found in him a man with the right combination of all that is needed in character, good sense of relationship, human management, administrative capacity and political strength to deliver if given the mandate in 2019 general elections to represent the people of Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency at the green chamber of the National Assembly.

1) GRASSROOT SUPPORT : BELLO is a renowned name in Adavi local government area, Engr. Joseph Asuku Bello (JAB) is the son of Justice Moses Abu Bello JP (OFR) and until his retirement as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal supported child education, market women and worked tirelessly to secure employment for youths of Ebiraland at-large. This served as a starting point for his son Engr. Joseph Asuku Bello (JAB) who after receiving a lot of leadership mentoring from his father took up the responsibility of representing and serving his PEOPLE.

2- EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION:  Engr. Joseph Asuku Bello (JAB) has all the educational qualifications to represent Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, aside his primary and secondary education he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Minna and M.Sc in Construction Management from Loughborough University in United Kingdom. The above qualification is an edge to lobby Federal projects in Adavi/Okehi Constituency.

3- YOUTH ENGAGEMENT : Today, the larger portion of his support base are the youths. As a youth, he does not only have relationship with his contemporaries but known to being part of whatever it is that is in the best interest of the area that they engage in.Team JAB is arguably  the largest political family in Adavi/Okehi owing to the building and sustaining of the group controlled by the youths.

4- CAPACITY TO DELIVER : Time without numbers Engr. JAB has proven himself to be a force to reckon with when it comes to mobilization capacity. More so, he has the capacity to build relationship with most of his colleagues (if elected) to promote the image of the good people of Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency.

5- EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE: He also introduced a Community Development Program called “Education For All” whose sole aim is to provide education for the less privilege through the provision of School materials (Textbooks, Novels, Writing materials, school bags, Sport equipment, First Aid boxes etc, and He believes that Government must be responsible, transparent and held accountable for every of its actions or inactions.

All these put together with more revealing reasons is why Engr. Joseph Asuku Bello (JAB) stands a force to reckon with for a better emancipation in both politics and representation at the green chamber of the National Assembly.

– Ibrahim Muhammed-Oziandu.

Will The Gods Favour Natasha Akpoti To Break The Jinx? - Otori Ozigi

History beckons on Barr Natasha Akpoti, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the forthcoming senatorial election in Kogi central. Indeed, there is no gainsaying the fact that she is eminently qualified to represent the good people of Kogi central at the upper chamber of the National Assembly in the next political dispensation.

For the benefits of my followers, readers and friends on this platform, I wish to throw more light on my professional status, as you may be aware, I am a professional journalist cum public relations expert to the core. I wish to make it abundantly clear that I am not a politician in the real sense of the word.

The last time I got myself involved in active politics during the tenure of the former governor of kogi state, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim, I got my fingers burnt. I can recall that I had wanted to be the executive chairman of Okehi, my local government of origin. That was the occultist-like politics of the People Democratic Party in Kogi State. Up till today, that sad memories live with me. Some so called stakeholders from Ihima town gathered at the village square in Ohueta to pass supreme Court justice on my fate and twenty other Aspirants. Behold and lo! We were told in ambiguous term that we could not make it at the so called shadow election presided over by some “wise men” that decided our fate at that kangaroo court.

After this bad experience, I decided to say bye bye to politics until we entered an era of progressive politics that we are seeing in the APC government in Nigeria today. Ladies and gentlemen, now that the environment is not polluted by bad belle politics, let me let the cat out of the bag that I am warming up for the House of Representatives to represent the good people of Adavi/Okehi federal constituency when the turn of Adavi runs out and it’s the turn of Okehi. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and pray for good health and long lives from the Almighty God.

Let’s go back to Barr Natasha Akpoti issue.

We are all probably aware that a worthy daughter of Ebiraland has already thrown her hat into the ring to represent the good people of Ebiraland at the red chamber in the next political dispensation. Many people have been asking what gave Natasha Akpoti the courage to do so, this is the crux of the matter that I will address sufficiently in this write up.

To whom it may concern, candidate Barr Natasha Akpoti is intelligent, vocal, sociable, accessible, vibrant and young. She has the spirit and the attributes of former President of the United States of America, Barracks Obama who defies all odds to emerge as the first black president of the God’s own country.

Can our own Natasha Akpoti replicate this Obama feat and success in Kogi central, the multi-million-dollar question on my lips as I pen down this writeup is how far can candidate Natasha go against the odds and challenges starring her in the face. Going into this election, Barr Natasha’s Akpoti profile is very rich but we all know that the more you look the less you see in Ebira politics, like a voodoo.

If we play politics according to the rules of the game, Natasha stands a bright chance to win the election and make history as the first woman to be a senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria in the history of Ebiraland.

Recall that all our past senators since independence have been men all the way, namely Senator Obaro Abonyi, Senator Pius Lasis, Senator A. T Ahmed, Senator M S Ohiare, Senator Ohize, Senator Abatemi Nurudeen and Senator Salawu Ogembe respectively.

At this juncture, I will like to talk about the odd against Barr Natasha Akpoti in her quest to become a senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria. Even though Natasha’s popularity is soaring high, her political party lacks formidable structures in the five local government areas of the central senatorial district of Kogi State. Can her popularity alone deliver victory for her in the forthcoming senatorial election?

In conclusion, will the womenfolks in Kogi central line up behind one of their own, if these women are wise, I think they should do so in their own overall interest. Our men have used and dumped them like rags in previous elections in Kogi central.

Ebira women, please rethink and do the needful, let Natasha Akpoti break the jinx, let our menfolk go and hug transformer and history be made. Up up Natasha, ovidi waanahara

– Otori Ozigi, a retired public servant, journalist /Public Relations consultant

Natasha Akpoti Involved In Ghastly Accident Road Accident - Yakubu Oseni React

The All Progressives Congress candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial race, Yakubu Oseni has added his voice to those in thanksgiving to God for delivering Natasha Akpoti from a ghastly road accident.

Akpoti who is the candidate of the Social Democratic Party and a keen contender for the Senate seat on Sunday cheated death in an accident involving her Lexus SUV along Okene-Lokoja-Abuja road. 

She was reportedly returning from the 20th Memorial prayer of her late father.

While reacting in a press statement, Oseni said he was terrified in imagination when he saw the horrible state of the vehicle. 

"I thank almighty Allah for your safety and that of your entire entourage. On behalf of myself and the entire members of my campaign organization, I sympathize with you.  And our deepest appreciation goes to other road users who promptly intervened to evacuate you and your team for timely help.

"We pray to God almighty to protect and keep you safe, and that of the entire people of Kogi Central," he prayed.

Source: Ebira Reporters

Saraki Woos Kogi PDP, Promise To Resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Company

By Musa Tanimu Nasidi. 

Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election, the Senate President and PDP presidential aspirant, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki have promised to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Company if given the party’s ticket and eventually win the presidential election in 2019. 

Saraki made the declaration at PDP Secretariat in Lokoja during a press briefing on Monday. He said it is time to elect leaders that have the ability, capacity and courage to lead Nigerians. The Senate President explained that countries world over choose their leaders based on ability to lead. 

“We need to do away with sentiment, religion or tribe, we must elect our leaders based on their ability to lead,” he said. Saraki promised to provide effective leadership and rule the country in a way that every Nigerian would benefit from his administration. 

He appealed to all the delegates from Kogi State to cast their votes for him during the forthcoming party presidential primary. The Senate President and PDP presidential hopeful was accompanied by the three senators from Kogi State; Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), Senator Atai Aidoko (Kogi East) and Senator Ahmed Ogembe (Kogi Central).

Source: KogiReports

Kogi Central 2019: Senator Ogembe Still Our Best Bet – Group

A socio-political group, Kogi Central Rebirth has said that Senator Salau Ahmed Ogembe is still the best for the people in the 2019 election.

The group also  said that after due consultation with major stakeholders, they have decided to endorsed him for a second term, for what it described as the senator’s focused, effective and dedicated service to his constituency.

The  president of the association, Alhaji Suberu Itopa said Ogembe’s performance at the red chamber has supersede  his predecessors, saying that every good turn deserves another.

Itopa commended Senator Ogembe for making himself accessible to the people in addition to the remarkable support given to the youths in gaining employments and the construction of  motorized boreholes with standby generators across the five local governments in the central senatorial district.

According to the group, his empowerment programmes has touched numerous lives in the senatorial district which they said has made majority to become financially independent.

“We have watched with kin interest the activities of the senator since he resumed at the red chamber. We are satisfied with his outstanding performance so far and we hereby call on him to seek a second term so as to consolidate on his present gains.

“He has empowered our youths and women. Some of them are now self reliant. We believe that as a ranking Senator with more powers and better contacts, he will do more. We are  appealing to the people of Central senatorial district to support him to achieve more lofty  height in the Red chamber.”

The group which promised to thrown their weight behind the senator, declared that they have already started the process of sensitizing the people ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The group however warned the people of the consequences of changing a winning team, adding that the people will get more of the dividends of democracy if the senator is allowed to get a second term.

“It is high time the people of central senatorial district produce a ranking  senator that will be able to attract more dividends of democracy to our  people,” the group solicited.

Source Credits: Kogireports..

Party Primaries; Kogi APC Adopts Indirect Primaries

By Halimat Isah and Mohammed Yabagi

The leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State has adopted the option of indirect delegates primaries in the forthcoming party's primaries to field candidates for the various elective positions in next year's general elections.

The resolution was unanimously reached by members of the party at the Executive Council (NEC) meeting that held on Wednesday in Government House, Lokoja.

Addressing party faithful, Governor Yahaya Bello urged aspirants interested in standing for elective positions to go ahead and purchase their intent forms as the government does not have anointed candidates as widely presumed by members of the public.

Governor Bello assured that the party would create a level playing ground for all aspirants to test their popularity, and promised to work with whoever eventually emerged from whatever methodology agreed by leaders and members of the party on how candidates should emerge.

Governor Bello says; "Forms are on sale, feel free to purchase. Every member of the party and aspirants alike are all my people. 

"The insinuations that some aspirants have been anointed by me are false. I will not anoint anyone. We are ready to make the process free, fair and credible. I will eventually support whoever you decide to select as our party's candidate," he added.

According to the Governor, the interest of the party is to sweep all the elective positions on offer with a landslide in the coming elections, describing the NEC meeting as the first meeting that has held as Governor.

He further warned all the party executives in the state to desist from all forms of extortion from  aspirants with the promise of securing party ticket for them, adding that anyone found engaging in the illegal act would face the full wrath of the law.

"The era of extorting money from aspirants with the aim of influencing the outcome of primaries in their favour is over. I have been a victim of extortion in the past and I know how it feels. Don't take advantage of anyone seeking public office. Let's allow them equal opportunity and rally round anyone who emerges the flag bearer."

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Matthew Kolawole had earlier applauded the decision of the APC family to hold the NEC meeting, stressing that it was an avenue for leaders and members of the party to harmonise and come up with concrete resolution on their choice method for the party's forthcoming primaries. 

He particularly lauded the Governor for giving all party faithful the opportunity to air their views, adding that the decision to choose indirect primaries was a step in the right direction. 

Speaking, recently elected member of the Federal House of Representatives for Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, Hon Haruna Isah had described the decision of an indirect primaries as laudable one in view of the myriad of challenges being faced in the authentication of accurate membership of the party. 

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Edward Onoja had earlier told the gathering that the APC was not ready to jeopardize its chances at the primaries, stressing that love of the party has continued to soar under the current administration as it has gained over 500, 000 foot soldiers in the various Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

"We have agreed as a party that our choice is indirect primaries. Let's save our party the challenges of direct primaries. I would align myself with the option proposed, which is indirect primaries and avoid sponsored individuals who would want to disorganize the process and infiltrate the APC," he said.

Hon. Onoja expressed optimism that the peace witnessed in the various congress elections in the state would be replicated in the party's primaries and called for team work and synergy amongst members.

On his part, Chairman of the party in Kogi State, Hon Abdullahi Bello had lauded members of the APC for their peaceful disposition and commitment towards ensuring overwhelming victory at the polls, and assured of the party's commitment towards a transparent process. 

He praised Governor Bello for his dedication towards the cause of the APC, assuring of the party's preparedness towards ensuring convincing victories at the polls.

Disregard Rumours, I Carry the Unalloyed Mandate of My People -Khalifa Abdulrahaman Okene

Kogi Central Senate aspirant, Alh Khalifa Abdulrahaman Okene on Thursday debunked the false information alleging that he stepped down for another aspirant, describing the information as a figment of the writer's imagination. 

In a press statement signed by Okene, he declared that he is carrying the mandate of the people and will be at the polls. "To set the records straight, I was at the residence of the Governor this morning to clarify facts on his widely circulated endorsement of an aspirant and Local Government to flag the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress, and there was no such meeting between myself and the other aspirants whose names were mentioned. 

"While I am not oblivious of the calculations of opponents to ride through my name in attempts to regain a lost reputation, I want to state it categorically to all and sundry that I carry the unalloyed mandate of the people, and fully committed to this cause. "Therefore, disregard such spurious messages and consider them a figment of the writer’s imagination. 

I understand the likelihood of similar malicious information popping up in the future, and I am assuring my teeming supporters that I will be at the polls where the exercise of their franchises will coast us to victory," he stated.

Yahaya Bello to Appointees: Resign in 24 Hours If...

There is a new twist to politicking in Kogi State following a directive issued by the Governor of the state, Alh Yahaya Bello to his political appointees who are interested in elective positions. 

In a memo signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade Arike, the Governor has directed that whoever wants to contest for an election should resign his or her appointment within 24 hours through the SSG.

Recall that the Spokesman of the governor, Kingsley Fanwo; and the Chairman Board of Internal Revenue, Alh Yakubu Oseni have both withdrawn from the race to contest for House of Representatives and Senate respectively.

Ebiraland Media gathered that more notices of withdrawal are in the offings as the opportunity to ride through the government's chariots may have been short-lived. 

Assembly Aspirant Tasks Adavi Eba APC Members On Sacrifice

By Josiah Aliyu.

Leaders, members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adavi Eba ward of Adavi local government have been advised on the need to make sacrifices that will ensure the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections in the country.

A frontline Adavi constituency House of Assembly aspirant, Alh. Ishaq Asuku Ilyas (Rich man) gave the advice during a meeting with party members on Saturday.

Asuku urged the party executive to work inline with the new direction administration of Governor Yahaya Bello.

He stated that as a politician and business tycoon, he will make laws that will have direct impact and help to rebuild the state and his constituency’s economy via robust commercial agriculture, tourism, youth employment through vocational training, institutionalization of social security for aged, sick and unemployed and free education to the secondary cadre.

The party members of Adavi Eba ward threw their weight behind the aspiration of Alh. Asuku pledging to help him clinch the party ticket to contest for the House of Assembly seat come 2019.

Salami Muhammed urged the party members in the Adavi constituency to support the Alh Ishaq Asuku for good legislative agenda in governance.

“This time we are ready to support our own with unshakeable and massive support,” he added.

Asuku, while addressing the Ward executive, promised not to betray their trust in him if given the opportunity to pepresent them at the state house of assembly.

He appealed to Adavians to avail themselves of the opportunity of the ongoing voters registration exercise to get registered and collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs) so as to actively participate in the electoral process.

Sources: Kogi Onine

Gunmen Kill PDP Stalwart in Kogi

Peoples Democratic Party (LOGO)

Akolo was gunned down after a consultative meeting with a PDP House of Assembly Aspirant jostling to represent Ankpa constituency.

Reacting to the death of Akolo, Kogi elders have jointly issued statement of warning to supporters of politicians in the country, especially Kogi State to  play politics according to the rules of the game by standing with the candidates of their choice and avoid blood letting. 

Elder Yahaya Abuh, speaking on behalf of others in Ankpa, headquarters of Ankpa local government, at the weekend over the killing of Hon Abel Akolo by unknown gunmen, stated that today’s politics does not warrant blood letting and does not need to be so.

 “Nobody should force anybody against his will for support since there are enough evidences for people to follow candidate, noting that you can push the horse to the river but you cannot force it to drink water,” Yahaya stated. 

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Kogi State, Police command, Mr William Ayah ASP, stated that though the report had not reached the command as at press time, he would give the details when informed.

Opinion: Why Gov. Bello Want To Get Rid Of Senators Aidoko, Dino And Ogembe Politically

Credit - Kogireports

Inordinate ambition, failure to do the needful at the corridor of power, fear of defeat ‎against 2019 general elections and later governorship election in Kogi state had been the bane of all political machinations and manipulations adopted by the state government against the three senators representing the state at the red chamber.

To the governor and the government, the three musketeer senators; Senator Atai Aidoko of Kogi East, Senator Ahmed Ogembe of Kogi Central and Senator Dino Melaye of Kogi West, will make his ambition to ‎return to Lugard house unrealisable. If they are not politically ostracised owing to either their political strength, acceptability, necessity or as the case may be in the next dispensation.

The record was set recently by the mass rejection of a well funded failed recall process of the most vocal and controversial Kogi West senator, Otunba Dino Melaye even while in detention. This exercise was already another litmus test towards the acceptability of the people of the area to return him to the senate in spite of apparent resistance and persecution from the state government.

Melaye representing the second largest constituency and most enlightened people and politically vulnerable set of electorates from Lokoja/Kogi local government axis ‎who believed in politics of sincerity of purpose, truth, inclusion and human disposition as propagated by the current senator.

For Dino Melaye and his followers along with the electorates of Kogi West, it is a done deal as governor Yahaya Bello remains a goner in the political calculations of the state‎ towards 2019 elections and the November governorship election.

The singular idea of wanting to kill senator Dino Melaye for speaking the truth and nothing but the truth, and the sympathy vote and mindset of the people, along with a vow ‎from the people of his constituency from their body language not to vote candidates of APC, no matter how sellable, will be a nightmare for the current administration in Kogi.

In Kogi East, Bello has displayed a lot of political wizardry towards dividing the rank and files of‎ the political gladiators from the area and had succeeded through coercion, financial inducements, threats, lies and subtle empty promisary notes, except for the calibre of Kogi East Senator, Atai Aidoko Ali.

For Aidoko, his path has never crossed before, either officially or privately, with the governor. He never met Yahaya  Bello in person or had anything to do with him politically or otherwise. So, the fear of the unknown always pervades the whole scenario, except some of his kinsmen and extractions who are now top government officials of the governor, especially the chief of staff, Edward Onoja who have formed strong opposing views against him. Alas, he was a known follower of the senator penultimate and by virtue of been from the same district of Ogugu.

Having been inundated with the rugged political dossier of the senator in the last one and half decade, it became obvious and natural that returning to lugard house with Aidoko as Kogi East senator under the opposition PDP, it will be an uphill task if not truncated.

Armed with dual advantage of representing nine local government areas, the highest in the state in terms of number of votes and population. In fact, statistics have always proved it right that just three major local government areas from Kogi East will upturn the political chances of any contestant across not minding his acceptability and accessibility as per voting strength. That scenario has been a source of worry to Yahaya Bello’s camp ‎and APC.

Atai Aidoko has been a child of necessity ‎since the inception of his democratic ideas and entrance to various contests. Initially, he defeated a thorough bred, well connected and high profile lawyer who was close to a former Military President to win his maiden election to the National Assembly to the consternation of political soothsayers in 2003. Secondly, he again retained the seat by doing the unusual of silencing a Prince of Ankpa kingdom, the largest local government in his federal constituency to return to the House of representatives in 2007. His decision to move to the red chamber was seen as a day dream and child’s play. He brought down a prominent senior and well connected lawyer to his political oblivion through legal technicalities. Not done with that, in 2015, he lost and returned back to senate after removing a ruling party senator and a technocrat and bundled it up by flooring his party man and former service chief to stupour. These are the political credentials Yahaya Bello is fighting day and night to dim.

Part of Aidoko’s credentials is, although not generally acceptable by his people with highly volatile popularity, but he is known to be a pro-Igala person and tribal czar who held that sentiment along in his endeavours. He has never hidden ‎his feelings of owing his people a lot of obligation to where he is today. That alone made him a political child of necessity and political preference to his people of Kogi East.

‎He is highly favoured to deploy unalloyed support to any genuine Igala man with impeccable character to rescue the area from the inhuman treatment of the present administration, not minding political differences, hence Bello is bent on seeing to his political extinction.

For senator Salaudeen Ahmed Ogembe of ‎the governor’s origin, it was widely believed the area will be a walk over as a sitting governor without stress, but it was later discovered that the reverse will be the case.

Ogembe was celebrated as PDP senator from the central‎ by the governor and his loyalists after removing his staunch political enemy, Senator Mohammed Ohiare, a strong supporter of late Prince Abubakar Audu.

Senator Ogembe, a political maradona and genius, came from the background as local government chairman to become a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria. His advantages was he is well travelled and western oriented who cannot be cowed over mere ambition.

Kogi governor arrogated the victory of Kogi Central senator to his handiwork to nail the growing internal opposition to his leadership of the party in the state having lost the former party leaders in the state. Senator Ogembe, who was subtly tactical, withdrew having been attacked by proxy in his hometown Okene during one of his outings.

Ogembe is highly favoured to return to the senate because of his glaring display of political maturity and inclusiveness. Thoughts from Bello’s camp of him falling prey not realisable, confrontation and affront set in to frustrate his next political moves.

The senator reacted confidently by carrying out his program under serious security threat and reported the incidence to the senate that attracted wide condemnation. That drew a thin and conspicuous line of political rivalry in Kogi Central.

With governor Bello’s ‎maladministration, the people of Kogi Central prefer Senator Ogembe as their governor to abrupt governor Yahaya Bello. This became evident subsequently during a solidarity rally for the Senator in Okene at a subsequent week. The rally closed down the ancient town to travellers for over six hours.

It was the grand rally and solidarity showed by the people of Okene who obviously are the protagonist and originator of other four area councils that drew a battle line between the governor and his senator.

Ogembe, whose structure and stature had placed him higher ‎in the eyes of his political rivals like the governor, was known to have single handedly frustrated a political move against the former council chairman that led to the termination of the former administration under tense and unsettled internal rivalry.

With the three coveted assets representing Kogi at the senate, observers will not need soothsayers ‎that the idea of Kogi governor returning to Lugard house will be more tedious by the day, having abused providence and divine intervention that brought the present dispensation.

– Yusuf Abubakar writes from Abuja.

Credits - Kogireports.