Kogi guber race: X-raying PDP aspirants

As we approach the 2019 gubernatorial elections in our dear state of Kogi a lot of contestants have shown interest both privately and publicly to vie for the coveted seat of governor of the confluence state. Today, this gladiators have begun jostling and strategising on how to wrestle power from the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello who most probably would be the flagbearer of the ruling APC in the elections.The governor is working hard to get a second term ticket of the ruling party. Late last year, the APC held a mega rally which metamorphosed into an endorsement rally. Bello became governor of Kogi state after the demise of Prince Abubakar Audu who was the main candidate of the APC in the election which he eventually won. He was among the 28 aspirants who vied for APC’s ticket to become the party’s flagbearer at the primaries where he came second behind Audu.Unlike in 2015when the governorship position came to Yahaya Bello on a platter of gold, he would need to work harder to contend with other gladiators if his dream of returning to Lugard House is to be a reality.One of the problems of the governor is his lingering face off with the executives of the APC in the state who have been working at cross purpose with him. The crisis reached a crescendo when a parallel executive which is said to be loyal to the state governor emerged in the state, operating from a parallel secretariat. Meanwhile, the Haddy Emetuo-led faction of the party which is still recognised by the party has condemned severally the alleged attempt by the governor to factionalise the state APC, a position which it stated is not good for the party ahead of the gubernatorial elections in the state. Another albatross of the governor is the state civil servants, who are still disenchanted with the outcome of the screening exercise carried out which led to a number of them laid off while others are being owed backlog of salaries.We tried in this piece to give a detail summary of the gladiators clamouring for a chance in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be the gubernatorial candidates in the next election in the state. The PDP believes that because of the failures of the Bello administration in the state it has a chance if it puts its house in order and presents a formidable and acceptable candidate that can fight the political battle headlong. Here are some gladiators:Idris Wada – the immediate past governor of the state Captain Idris Ichalla Wada is said to be among those gunning for the seat of the governor of Kogi state. Wada, who hails from Dekina local government contested in the last general election and polled 199,000 votes. The former governor is said to be making relevant consultations with stakeholders ahead of the 2019 polls. It is however unclear if the PDP in the state is ready to give him another chance. Aliyu Akor – former deputy speaker is a PDP chieftain and a member representing the Omala state constituency, in Kogi State House of Assembly. Aku is a second term member and deputy speaker before he resigned his appointment in the 6th Assembly due to the leadership crisis in the house. He was also personal assistant to the former Governor Ibrahim Idris. He is a grassroots politician who is said to be enjoying the goodwill of the people across the divides in the state. Aku worked with the Nigeria Customs before he resigned and joined politics. Ahmed Ibrahim Aruwa –  has put in many years of service in the banking sector and thinks his experience in the banking sector has equipped him well to govern the state. His presentations at the Kogi state professionals’ forum ignited his projects when members of the forum adopted his blueprint for reviving the state. In a bid to gain ground ahead of the 2019 elections, the aspirant has launched the Aruwa Network 2019 with coordinators in all the local governments in the state.Emmanuel Omebije – former deputy speaker is a two term member of the state assembly representing Dekina constituency. He is currently into estate managements and he is a grassroots politician.Zakari Alfa – also regarded by many in the state as the solution is the major aspirant in the PDP for the governorship race in the state. To many, PDP can only redeem itself from its toga of godfatherism and rent seeking politics when it allows free and fair primaries where the people’s will prevails. Many believe that when the people’s will is allowed to prevail, Zakari Alfa is going to easily win the party’s primaries to face the candidates of other parties in the main election come Nov.16.Zakari is a banker of many years and has served as the state finance commissioner under the Wada administration. He is an experienced financial expert whose vision is to provide leadership which shall lead to the winning for the symmetric and asymmetric warfare of the people.Zakari is endowed with a lot of experience and commitments. A well exposed fellow and endowed with superlative vision and commitment, two qualities that have always been missed in the leadership of the state. He understands as a banker the importance of blueprint for development and so has developed a well conceived plan that mirrored his developmental visions for Kogi state. He is a man who is coming to unite the PDP and most importantly the state because he knows the value of reaching out to others in order to maximise development and provide our people the best leadership possible. If the people of Kogi state want to vote in a manner that returns the state to a better path, Zakari is the solution we need. He is ready to provide his people the chance to enjoy the fruits of developments and prosperity. He is ready to pursue our goals of a Kogi state that is energised by creative dynamism, tolerance of others and guided by a leadership capable of extending a collegial hand of fellowship to all party stakeholders far and wide. Zakari Alfa is the only chance of PDP getting it right and winning the next general elections.Adejoh writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.

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