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No fewer than 28 aspirants are warming up for Kogi State All Progressives
Congress (APC) governorship primaries scheduled for Lokoja, the state capital,
tomorrow. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the contenders
and pretenders and their chances at the shadow poll.
Kogi State is a unique state. Ethnicity plays a big role in deciding who takes
the driver’s seat. That is why politicians from Central and West senatorial
districts are championing the agitation for power shift. The clamour
underscores their protest against perceived exclusion from political control.
But, Kogi East, which accounts for 54 per cent of the state’s population, has
described the claim as frivolous. According to the stakeholders from the zone,
the claim is devoid of rationality and tantamount to twisting the truth to win
emotional support for their cause.
Ahead of the primaries, many Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains have
defected to the APC. Their defection followed the defeat of the PDP during
the last parliamentary elections. Many stakeholders have also alleged that the
governor, Captain Idris Wada, has performed poorly. But, the governor has
refuted the claim, saying that he has lived up to expectation.
No fewer than 28 aspirants are struggling for the ticket. They purchased
nomination forms, following the release of the election time table for by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Thus, it is a crowded race
for the Lugard House. According to observers, the APC primaries will decide
the future of the party and the second term ambition of Governor Wada.
The aspirants include Prince Abubakar Audu, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-
Usman, Alhaji Sueiman Baba Ali, Dr. Tim Diche, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Hon.
Clarence Olafemi, and George Olumoroti, an engineer. Others are Alhaji Ado
Gamji, Babatunde Irukera, Chief Lanre Ipinmisho, Mallam Yakuku Mohammed,
Senator Alex Kadiri, Aliyu Jiya, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, Gen. Salihu Atawodi,
and Mr. Rotimi Obadofin.
Audu
He is the first elected governor of the state. He ruled the state twice, but
under different constitutions. Audu ruled between 1992 and 1993 on the
platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and between 1999 and
2003 as a chieftain of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).
According to the 1999 Constitution, he is entitled to a second term. Audu
worked assiduously for the development of the state. But, in the last 12 years,
the state, which is blessed with natural endowment and human capital, has
been a shadow of itself. When the former governor picked his nomination
form, he promised to restore the pride of the state by putting in place first
class infrastructure and attract more investments. Many people believe that he
is competent. During his first term, he facilitated the take off of the Obajana
Cement factory.
Audu is Kogi APC leader. He worked hard to deliver the state to President
Buhari in the last election. According to his supporters, his frustration with the
state of affairs motivated him to enter the race. His performances in office
between1999-2003 remained his biggest selling point, Last week, many
stakeholders from 21 local governments endorsed him in Lokoja.
Another key factor that may work in favour of the Igala prince is the failure of
aspirants from the west and central districts to produce a consensus
candidate.
The APC leadership may have tacitly endorsed him. Last week, a top chieftain
said:”no coach changes a winning captain in the middle of a match.” His
dynamism and experience in politics and business, his formidable structure
and followership are great assets.
Abatemi-Usman
He hails from a reputable political family, his father having served as the
deputy governor of Kwara State in the Second Republic. Between 2011 and
2015, he represented Kogi Central on the platform of the PDP. Abatemi-Usman
is sociable, amiable and easy-going. But, he is not perceived as a formidable
candidate. Many believed that he won the senatorial election in 2011 as a
compromise candidate, following a major disagreement that threatened to tear
the party apart in the zone. One major setback for the former legislator is that
he recently defected to the APC. There is no evidence that he has the backing
of his district. During the week, the district endorsed Gamji, an oil magnet and
philanthropist, as a consensus candidate. Abatemi-Usman cried foul, saying
that the move was not popular. His supporters, who are agitating for power
shift, however, believe that he has a chance.
Baba Ali
Baba Ali was a commissioner in the defunct Audu administration. Many were
surprised when he picked the nomination form because they thought that he
was working for his former boss. A party chieftain said his approach and
divided loyalty may have struck a wrong chord in the among the political
leaders. But, his supporters believe otherwise. According to them, he has the
right under the constitution to run.
A party source said that party leaders would have supported Ali for
parliamentary ambition, if he had indicated his interest. That, to them, would
have groomed him for the number one seat. The feeling is that he may not be
able to withstand the arsenal of his uncle, Audu, at the primaries. Besides,
foes have made efforts to blackmail him by boxing him into an identity crisis.
Ali has not done much to effectively dispel the rumour that his father is from
Bida, Niger State, and only his mother hails from Kogi. In 1999, some people
protested against his nomination for a position in the State Executive Council,
based on his identity. Another factor that may work against him is lack of
financial muscle and limited political experience.
But, party members said that he is a likeable personality and hardworking
politician who has shunned avarice. Politically, he is very promising. A source
said that he may step down for Audu.
Diche
He is an economist and a risk manager. He is a former local government
chairman. Diche failed in his bid to represent his constituency in the House of
Representatives before dumping the PDP. According to sources, he relies on
the goodwill of his former colleagues. However, this is debatable. Many former
council chairmen who left the PDP for the APC appear to be working for Audu.
If Diche fails to get the ticket, it will not draw the curtain on his political
career. He may be a candidate for the future.
Bello
Bello is a graduate of Accounting from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and
the Chairman of Kogi Youth Arise Forum. He has a huge financial war chest
and connection with big party wigs. But, to his surprise, the party leaders
refused to endorse him. Instead, the leaders, led by ,Senator Ohiare picked
Sanusi as a consensus candidate. Bello’s popularity is restricted to his district.
he needs to extend his tentacles to other zones. only central senatorial
districts. A source said that he may dump the APC for the Accord, if he fails
to get the ticket. But, his supporters said the rumour is baseless.
Olafemi
Olafemi, fondly called Obembe by admirers, is one of the popular politicians
from Okun. In the House of Assembly, he was a star legislator. He was the
Minority Leader, and later, the Speaker. He was also the Acting Governor. He
is a respected gladiator from Kogi West. Olafemi is very close to the PDP
chieftain, Jibrin Isah Echocho, who is running for governor. Many PDP
chieftains have penciled down his name as the running mate before he dumped
the party. Therefore, he has more political enemies in the PDP. They believe
he has destroyed their plan to pull the rug off the governor’s feet.
Olafemi faces some odds at the primary election, despite his popularity. He
hails from Mopa Moro, a small local government. He is very popular at home.
Yet, he failed to emerge as the consensus candidate of the marginalised Okun.
Other aspirants do not see him as the arrowhead of the minority Yoruba,
which is always fighting for relevance. However, he may emerge as the APC
running mate.
Olumoroti
Olumoroti is a mechanical engineering graduate of Yaba College of Technology.
He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Calabar.
He has many things going for him. He has the experience, energy and money.
He is young and promising. The Kabba-born politician worked with Exxon/Mobil
in Lagos. He is without any dent.
Gamji
He is a new comer into the political arena. Two weeks ago, he picked his
nomination form. But, to the surprise of other aspirants, he emerged as the
consensus candidate of the Central District. His rivals are bitter. Thus, they
have resorted to blackmail. His endorsement has implications. If he fails to get
the ticket, the leaders may tip him for running mate.
Irukera
He is a prince from Egbe. The son of the Elegbe of Egbeland, Yagba West
Local Council, entered the race few weeks ago. His posters are attractive. But,
no major stakeholder is associated with his aspiration. He told reporters in
Lokoja that power should shift to foster equity and justice. He described
himself as the man whom the cap fits. But, he has a bright prospect in
politics. Many youths see him as a man of the future.

May the best candidate emerge.

Prince will emerge as usual...no arguements