Kogi Groups Insist on Power Shift to the West
By:Atiku Abdullahi
A coalition of over 45 Youth groups in kogi state under the umbrella of Concerned kogi Youth For Good Governance, has insisted that in the interest of justice, equity, fairness and national unity, the kogi western district should produce the next Governor in 2023.
In a press statement issued to the media, the spokesman of the group, Musa Omeiza, said kogi East and the Central have taken their turns in the power game.
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Omeiza reiterated the stand of the group not to support any Governorship candidate from kogi East and Central as a successor to Gov. Yahaya Bello in 2023.
It warned that “any candidate from these two districts contesting for the Governorship will be regarded as agent of disunity and enemy of the state.
“Our hopes, dreams and prayers is for somebody from kogi west to emerge as Governor in 2023, more preferably, an experienced legislator, a technocrat and a de-tribalised kogian with rich experience in managing economy for peace, progress and prosperity.
“We have agreed to melt their interest in one pot and insist on power to be transferred to kogi western part of the state in 2023, and we call on the people of kogi west to also drive this opportunity and support their own and also respect power rotation after eight years.
“We reaffirmed our previous stand that we won’t support anybody apart from kogi west as successor to Gov. Yahaya Bello in 2023 for the sake of peace and unity in the state.
“This will help to build trust and heal the wounds calling for the dismemberment of our dear state.
“We, therefore, categorically say no to any candidate from kogi East and Central , and should any of them show interest, he or she will never get our support, as we shall frustrate such selfish ambition that we believe is even dead before arrival…”
According to Omeiza, since the creation of kogi state in 1991, Kogi East and the Central have produced the Governor in the state.
He said Gov. Yahaya Bello from central is serving his eight years as governor while the two deputy governors from kogi east, Elder Simon Achuba served for four years and Elder Edward Onoja serving another four years.
The group said the East and Central have dominated the leadership of the state without anything to show for it in terms of development and quality of life of the people.
“In the heat towards the 2023 elections, some stakeholders are still agitating that power must be retain in the central,not considering the people from kogi west.
“There is wise saying that: ‘What is good for the goose is good for the gander’. It is important that we have to respect our integration, brotherhood and unity.
“It is for the sake of our continous peace and unity that we are standing today and declaring that power should be rotated to west for the spirit of oneness, equity, justice, fairness and equal opportunities.”
