A grassroots political association in Kogi Central Senatorial District, Okehi-Adavi Political Defenders, has condemned the political marginalisation of the area and sent a strong warning to senatorial hopefuls from the area notably Chief Momoh Obaro and Hon. A.K Salihu not to withdraw from the race.
In a statement by Okara AbdulRasheed, the group warned the leadership of the All Progressives Congress against allowing the immediate past Governor of the State Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who they accused of high handedness, to emerge as candidate of the party in the election.
The group argued that Okene, the former governor’s local government of origin, has enjoyed more than a fair share in political representation, noting that it is time for other Local Government Areas to also benefit. The group vowed to resist any move to impose candidates on the party.
Noting that enough is enough, the group said that “the era where one man dictates the destiny of an entire senatorial district is over. The Senate seat of Kogi Central is not a family inheritance, not a coronation title, and not a personal reward for past power.”
The group called for a level playground for all aspirants, emphasising that the APC leadership must understand one truth: APC is not Yahaya Bello & Co. Ltd.
“The party does not belong to Yahaya Bello, his family, his cronies, or his political construction (CON). Continuous imposition is an insult to party members and a threat to peace in Ebiraland.”
The stakeholders noted that the wounds inflicted on the people during the Bello administration through unending screening exercises, job losses, missing persons, and killings are still fresh in their minds, and that they resist any attempt to plunge them back to the dark era.
“These are wounds that have not healed. And today, some people want to reignite that painful chapter by forcing the same faces back into power through the Senate.”
