Coalition of Kogi State Patriots has assured Nigerians that the President elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the leader Nigeria needs to change the narrative of the country in a progressive manner.
This is just as the coalition used the opportunity to unveil its ongoing efforts of to mobilize the understanding and support of the people of Kogi State for the rotation of Kogi state Governorship to the Western Senatorial District of Kogi State in the forthcoming November 2023 gubernatorial election.
At a meeting of critical stakeholders and leaders in Lokoja over the weekend, the body who sought for continued support for the incoming administration, told Nigerians that the victory of Tinubu will lead to accelerating economic development, wealth creation and national security for the people and the country.
“As we proceed towards the preparation for the swearing-in on the 29th of May, 2023, let us all be reminded that we must be vigilant and pray for a peaceful and hitch-free Transition Period. God bless the incoming administration of H.E Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu”
According to the director general, Coalition of Kogi State Patriots, Alhaji Abdukadir Ochenika Sani, the battle line seemed to have been drawn among the political aspirants of the two leading political parties in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which have intensified preparations for party primaries having obtained their expression of interest and nomination forms for the forthcoming governorship election to succeed the incubent Governor Yahaya Bello.
“As concerned citizens of the state, the level of injustice and marginalization of the Kogi West Senatorial District in the journey to Lugard House calls for critical and urgent attention, and this has precipitated the formation of the Coalition of Kogi state Patriots.
“An historic overview of the democratic administrative journey of our dear state quickly reveals a political path in want of collective effort to ensure that equity, justice and fairness to all are brought about. Since the creation of Kogi State in 1991, and the eventual entrenchment of democratic administration, the struggle for power and control of the State has often pitched us the various ethnic groups and Senatorial Districts one against the other. This has always left a certain level of mistrust and mutual suspicion amongst us which has in no small means undermined our unity and prosperity as a people”
The creation of the coalition, according to Ochenika Sani was borne out of the resolve
to ensure that the next Governor of Kogi State be made to emerge from Kogi West after the Eastern Senatorial District had been in control for a long period which he said led to the continuous clamor for power shift and rotation by the other major contending zones.
“After 16 long years of rule by our Eastern brothers at the helms of affairs of the State, the Central Senatorial District via divine providence has found itself in the saddle of the State leadership for about eight years”
While acknowledging that Yahaya Bello has done his best to safeguard unity in the state, the coalition however emphasized that the clamour for power shift and rotation from the other two Districts, especially Kogi West, has remained, hence urged the all stakeholders to listen to the yearnings of the affected zones for the actualization of a a shift of power and rotation amongst the major blocks of the State.
“It is this clamor and call for power to shift to Kogi West that we have come together to advance in a progressive, pragmatic and coherent manner as Patriots of Kogi State. We advocate the rotation of power between the major groups of the State, and most importantly at this time, that power shifts to Kogi West.
“While the trappings and privileges of power make it easy for those individuals or collective groups who wield it at a particular time to assume that they can hold on to it for as long as they wish, history has shown us all that providence listens to the voice of the people. It is only appropriate that we do what is justiciable and fair, by advancing this position before us all”.
The coalition described the call for a power shift as not only a wake up call devoid of sentimental and ethnic cleavages, but a move meant to ensure that Kogi West brothers and sisters have their opportunity to lead the State in view of the large numbers of qualified and credible personalities who can comfortably step into the shoes of the outgoing government.
“To those who haven’t been reached yet, we use this medium to invite you on board. And to those of us who have availed ourselves here already, we encourage us all to remain steadfast as this is the right path to thread. To advance the mandate of this organization in a coordinated and coherent manner, an interim management teams has been established.
In view of the foregoing, to bring about a robust critical strategies and comprehensive approach to this project, a principal sub-committee named Strategy and Think thank will soon be constituted.
