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Time-out for power-shift in Kogi State
The battle for the Kogi
State governorship
seat, otherwise known as Lugard House has silently commenced in earnest, I suppose. The people of Kogi Central and West that constitute about 65 per cent of the total population of the state, having played second fiddle in the political hierarchy of Kogi politics after 13 years of its creation might be thinking now that their Igala friends should reciprocate the gesture accorded them when they were relocated to Kogi State.
The political equilibrium in recent times had titled towards the Central and West to produce the next governor of the state in 2007 with their compelling argument that apart from producing the bulk resources in the state’s internal revenue, they have never produced the governor of the state.
The issue of an Ebira/Okun governorship in Kogi State is not entirely a new one. The clamour has been on for a long time. Senator A.T. Ahmed, who by virtue of having been the most senior of the aspirations, Chief Stephen Olorunfemi was even a contestant under the aegis of PDP, despite the fabled enterprise, hardowk and dynamism, the Ebiras and Okuns have hardly found their feet in Kogi socio-politico arena. There are cases of marginalization everywhere, infrastructure neglect and political under representation. There should be a consensus opinion; and understan-ding among Ebiras and Okuns as to address this age-long marginasation. The Central and West senatorial zones have this in mind before the real battle commences in 2007. The Igalas who should capitalise on “population determines winner” ideology, may not allow other senatorial districts in the state to taste the realms of power. The Igalas have continued to take other senatorial districts as a conquered people. The struggle for political freedom is long overdue and could not and will not at this point of time in compromised.
There is no doubt, whatsoever, that while our political stakeholders in the PDP in the state were clamouring for change in 2003, they forgot to direct their armoury on the seemingly more pressing issues of “senatorial power shift” and not “individual power shift”. The problem with solving our problems politically lies in an enduring fascination with symptoms rather than the actual disease. Consequently, the political actors approached the enabling political problems in Kogi state with different perspectives. The actors quarrel about power-shift, a tendency to put the cart before the horse. No credible mechanism for effective change of political guard, and no credible and effective alternative during the chorus for “Audu Must Go Crusade.”
Those who are still fanning the embers of disunity between Okuns and Ebiras must think twice, because the historical rationale of divide and rule of yester-years are no longer tenable.
I am in complete disagreement with those who may erroneously conclude that the governorship project between Ebira/Okuns is possible. Apart from our population in the state, Ebiras/Okuns have an unrivalled track record of dynamism and clear vision.
Isah Itopa Idris
Hussein Madaki Quarters
Madalla- Zuba, FCT.
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