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2019: Kogi East politicians warm up to wrestle power

As the 2019 general election beckons, some gladiators eyeing the Kogi governorship seat, especially from the East senatorial district, are said to be making underground…

As the 2019 general election beckons, some gladiators eyeing the Kogi governorship seat, especially from the East senatorial district, are said to be making underground consultations and meeting with relevant stakeholders before making public their interests.

The Kogi East senatorial district, which has the majority Igala ethnic group, has over the years maintained its political dominance when it comes to who occupies the ‘Lugard House’.

On the other hand, the minority ethnic groups such as the Ebira in Kogi Central senatorial district and Okuns in Kogi West senatorial district have only been left with the deputy governorship position as successive efforts to produce a governor from the two districts never sailed through.

Kogi East produced the first civilian governor of the state in the person of late Prince Abubakar Audu followed by Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) who governed for two successive terms and then the immediate past governor, Capt Idris Ichalla Wada who eventually lost his second term bid in 2015.

This sheer dominance of the Igalas in the Kogi political space had often times led to agitations for power shift to the minority Ebiras in the Central Senatorial District and Okuns in the West senatorial district.

During the 2015 governorship election in Kogi, the late Prince Abubakar Audu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had polled 240,867 votes to have an edge over his opponent, the then Governor Idris Wada, who trailed behind with 199,514.

Audu however died while coasting to victory and the APC eventually replaced its late candidate with Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who was inaugurated as the Kogi State governor on January 27, 2016, thus ending Kogi East’s political dominance and effecting power shift to Kogi Central District by sheer acts of providence.

That shattering loss of power after many years of political hegemony appeared not to have gone down well with the Kogi East politicians and they are said to be putting their acts together to reclaim “their” governorship position from Governor Yahaya Bello who is also believed to be seeking a second term in office come 2019.

But it would not be a tea party as Governor Yahaya Bello and his team are also said to be strategising on how to secure a second term in office.

While many Kogi East politicians  are still said to be keeping their ambitions very close to their chests, some couple of names of those that might likely throw their hats in the ring have started filtering out from the eastern flank gradually.

Former Governor Idris Wada

The immediate past governor of the state, Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada is said to be amongst those eyeing the number one seat in the state. Wada, who hails from Dekina local government area of the state, is not a stranger to the political terrain of the state having contested in the last election where he polled over 199,000 votes. The former governor is said to be making consultations with relevant stakeholders ahead of 2019. It is still not clear if the PDP would want to give him another chance to fly the party’s flag in the 2019 election or would opt for another candidate.

Aliyu Akuh – former deputy speaker

Ali Aku is a PDP chieftain and a current member representing Omala State Constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly. Aku, who is a second term member, was also a deputy speaker in the 6th Assembly before he resigned his appointment in the wake of leadership crisis that hit the Assembly. He was also a former Personal Assistant to former Governor Ibrahim Idris. Aku is a well respected politician for his show of courage and integrity while the crisis in the State Assembly lasted. Akuh’s decision to stay faithful to his party, the PDP, when other colleagues cross-carpeted to the APC for personal gains seemed to have endeared him to the people. He is a grassroots politician who is said to be enjoying the goodwill of people across the divides in the state. Akuh worked with the Nigerian Customs before he retired and joined politics.

Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Aruwa 

Aruwa is one of those that has indicated interest to seek the number one seat in the state. The aspirant has put in many years in the banking sector and believes the experience gathered has equipped him to govern the state. For now, the aspirant is yet to specify the platform under which he would contest in 2019. His presentation at the Kogi State Professionals Forum ignited his project when members of the Forum said that presentation was the bulepring the stae needs if it is to be revived.

In a bid to gain ground ahead of 2019, the aspirant has launched the “Aruwa Network 2019”, a group with coordinators in the state and local government areas to drive his project.

Emmanuel Omebije – former deputy speaker

Engr. Emmanuel Omebije who hails from Dekina LGA of the state was a two-term member at the state assembly and was also a deputy speaker of the assembly at a time. He represented Dekina/Okura state constituency in the state assembly. He is currently into estate management. He is a grassroots politician.

Chief (Dr) Joseph Ameh Erico

Dr Erico is a security expert with multiple doctorate degrees in criminology. He is the MD/CEO of a security organization, Real Strikers Security Services Ltd, based in Lagos.

Erico, a seasoned businessman, hails from Etutekpe in Olamaboro local government area of the state, and is believed to be one of the top contenders for the governorship position.

Dr Idris Omede

Dr Omede is currently the President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN). He was a former Commissioner for Health in Kogi State and a one-time National President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA). He hails from Dekina local government area of the state. He is likely to contest for the post. Omede enjoys goodwill from the people of the state.

Senator Alex Kadiri

Senator Alex Kadiri who represented Kogi East Senatorial district at the National Assembly is also said to be warming up to contest for the governorship election under the APC platform.

He was amongst the 28 governorship aspirants that contested for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in 2015 election but lost.

Although, he has not openly declared his interest but his associates said that he would slug it out with the incumbent governor when the time comes.

AVM Saliu Atawodi

AVM Saliu Atawodi is another contender who might throw his hat into the ring. He was amongst those that contested for the APC governorship ticket during the 2015 election but lost. He hails from Igalamela local government area of the state. He had his primary education at Ajaka/Idah and later attended the Nigerian Military School Zaria from 1967-1971. Thereafter he joined the Nigerian Defense Academy in 1972 as a member of Regular Cadet Course 12. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on 14th December 1974. AVM Saliu Atawodi is a philanthropist, with a strong passion for helping others achieve their goals. He is also a grassroots politician. 

Alhaji Ibrahim Yunusa Akor

Alhaji Ibrahim Yunusa Akor is yet another aspirant gunning for the governorship seat. Akor, a seasoned administrator and successful businessman, is said to be coming to reposition the state and make it work again. 

Alhaji Ibrahim Yunusa Akor is a known philanthropist who has about 150 students of Kogi extraction on his scholarship. He is also said to have helped in securing employments for lots of Kogi indigenes.

His vision is to restore the glory of the state through the implementation of a new minimum wage, agricultural transformation, creation of employment opportunities, free university scholarship and social welfare for the aged, amongst others. 

As it stands, more contenders are likely to declare their interests as soon as the political coast is clear for 2019.

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