Now that political parties have picked their standard-bearers for the November 11th, 2023, governorship election in Kogi State, it is important and urgent for the good people of Kogi West Senatorial district to come to a round table to discuss honestly and frankly on the way forward as well as strategize on how best to clinch the governorship seat that has been elusive to us since the creation of the state in 1991.
Kogi West is made up of seven (7) local government areas namely: Lokoja, Kogi (KKF), Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Mopamuro, Yagba East and Yagba West.
Kogi West harbours well over 50% of the major mineral resources in the state including limestone, gemstones, gold, mica, columbites, feldspar, zinc ore, talc, tin ore, calcite, tantalite, kaolin, clay, granite and sandstones which have not been fully tapped. The largest cement factory in Africa is in Kogi West, similarly the largest earth dam in West Africa- the Omi dam is in Kogi West as well as the largest confluence in Africa can be found in the western part of Kogi State. The area is the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria.
The district has the second largest registered voters put at 646,301 by the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) next to Kogi East with 838,075 and Kogi Central with 451,278. The district is made up of the Okun, Oworo, Kakanda, Egbura Koto, Nupe, Eggan and Gwari ethnic groups which make the district like a mini Nigeria. This ethnic diversity has been the strength of Kogi West. Good enough, these people have been living together harmoniously well as brothers and sisters despite their tribal and religious differences.But it is rather unfortunate that the senatorial district has not succeeded in producing the number One Citizen of the state (governor), despite our huge contributions to the development of the state. The greediness and selfishness traceable to our neighbours who are mostly politicians that have ganged up against our collective interest is responsible for this set-back. Virtually, all our neighbours have seen this governorship position as their birthright and should not be challenged by Kogi West.
Let it be known to our detractors that the people of Kogi West do know their rights, but because the people from the district are well cultured and mannered, they would hesitate to go violence about their legitimate rights. We have patience and endurance at all times, but time has come for our people from Kogi West to now hold their destinies in their own hand and hold the tail of the tiger.
The tiger must be tamed and caged this time around by all means. Our people must secure their total freedom from their political oppressors, and it is now!Remembers, Kogi West was the pride of the former Northern region of Nigeria before and after the country’s independence in 1960, it served as the heartbeat of the north in terms of civil service administration even when most of our neighbours who are now our oppressors were still inside incubators in terms of civilization, education and integrity. Our simplicity does not make us look like fools or do we look like one? NO! We are very focused, determined and principled group of people on planet earth.
Kogi West has shown tremendous support to every successive government in the state, but our ‘dear’ neighbours have not appreciated this wholesome commitment from us. Many of them are strongly blinded by greed and selfishness. Many of them have never one day thought of Kogi West as having the right, competency or capacity to lead the state even when it is glaring to them that God has placed us ahead of them in all human endeavours, we have been benched and limited to the positions of a deputy governor. This is not the position of God has destined us in Kogi West. Are there no true Christians or Moslems that have consciences from our neighbours? What does the Holy books teach them about loving your neighbours?Kogi West must unite, work, talk and walk together to achieve success.
Let’s put aside our petty differences and work as a bloc for our liberation from callous individuals creating obstacles to our progress in the West. We should not allow selfish politicians around us to divide us through their actions and in-actions, they are always divisive and selfish. Kogi West is one of the tripods on which Kogi State is built and as such, we deserve to be supported to produce the next governor of the state in November as we have supported others to be in power in the past.Remember, Kogi East has had over16years at the helm of affairs of the state, the same goes to Kogi Central with 8years but Kogi West nil years. What is the problem?Kogi West must quickly go back to the drawing board and rework its destiny. The traditional rulers must lead this struggle and to be closely followed by our elites, youths, students, religious leaders, community leaders, socio-cultural groups, civil servants, politicians and women across the senatorial district,
we must speak with one loud voice to decide who to lead us in the next four years. For the governorship candidates from Kogi West, I want to appeal to them that they must put the interest of the district above their personal ambitions and work collectively for the advancement of our people.
I want to also appeal to them to jettison their ego and listen to Kogi West leaders who may appeal to them to step down for one person among themselves from the district to fight the battle ahead. This is a battle for the survival of Kogi West in the schemes of doing things in the state. If you will listen to this, you will earn the respect and honour of our people. Please, kindly sacrifice your personal ambition for the common good of Kogi West. For the various political appointees, elected ones and their aides and supporters from Kogi West, this is the time to show solidarity to your base, stand firm with our people and work for our interests, never be a mole in the district,
it is dangerous and not rewarding. Good name they say is better than gold. Choose one.Kogi West strongly voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last general elections, but the party at the state level looked elsewhere to pick its governorship candidates despite the 78, 000+ votes given to Tinubu/Shettima during the presidential election as against the 55, 000+ votes from Kogi Central where the APC governorship candidate comes from, I do not count it against anybody that arranged this. But my appeal is that let the people of Kogi West work hard for the individual that may receive the nod of the people from Kogi West to run for the governorship position from the district, we must forget about political parties and focus on the individual that is going to work for our common interest.
The failure of Kogi East governorship aspirants to clinch the governorship ticket in any of the two major political parties is not just ordinary despite its population which has been its pride all this while, it is God’s way of saying He is always there for the oppressed. Population doesn’t matter in all cases, if it does China and India with over a billion people each would have been positioned ahead of United States of America that has far less than 400 million people but America remains world number one power. The East held on to power for over 16 years and never ready for one day to concede power to any other part of the state, but God almighty reworked it in 2015 to bring it to Kogi Central by divine means that goes far beyond human comprehension.
Today, Kogi Central is trying to tow similar path to self-destruction at the detriment of Kogi West that made all the sacrifices through Hon. James Abiodun Faleke in 2015 who was publicly robbed through judicial rascality to succeed late Prince Abubakar Audu, as the governor of Kogi State, the rest is now history. But, we must always learn from history in order for it to guide us for the future.It is my candid opinion that Kogi West must strongly reach out to our neighbours most especially Kogi East for solid support so that they can benefit from such winsome collaboration in the future too.
Political cohesion will return to Kogi East if only it pays some sort of political restitution by supporting the good course the people of Kogi West is fighting for. Kogi East is a big brother in terms of population and they must use it wisely to support us in the west so that we can reciprocate their kindness someday and possibly this will kick-start power rotation among the three geo-political blocs in the state.Finally,
I want to commend those individuals and groups that God has been using to pressurize their ethnic leaders to support Kogi West in its bid to secure the governorship position of the state during the forthcoming November 2023 gubernatorial election,
God will reward you for showing your unflagging and unflinching support for us as a result of your strong belief in the principle of fairness, equity and justice. A developed human society thrives under these basic principles.
Dele Olonilebi writes from Lokoja.
