2023: Group call on political stakeholders to allow Kogi West produce Bello’s successor

A group operating under the aegis of Okun Patriots has called political stakeholders to allow governor Yahaya Bello’s successor to come from Kogi West Senatorial district in the interest of fairness.

Convener of the group, Mr. Otitoju Olusuyi in a statement on Wednesday said, it’s the turn of Okun people to produce the next governor of the State.

His appeal is at the backdrop of political activities that would soon start fullfledged, saying that in 31 years after the creation of Kogi State, no Okun person has occupied the seat of power at Lugard House.

“As political activities are soon to commence for the governorship election, starting with the primaries of the political parties, a sociocultural/economic group; Okun Patriots has declared that for equity and fairness, an Okun person ought to be the next Governor of the State.

“The patriots averred that after 31 years of the creation of the state of which Kogi East has ruled for 16 years and Kogi Central for 8 years at the end of the tenure of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in January 2024, it is only fair for an Okun person to be governor.”

He noted that this position is premised on equity and fairness.

“It is only right for all segments of the state to have a sense of belonging for harmony and peaceful coexistence. Shutting out one ethnic group from leadership in the governance of the State is marginalisation which they argued must not be allowed to thrive,” he said.

They appealed to individuals from other senatorial zones in the state to look at the bigger picture and drop their aspirations for Lugard House in the next dispensation.

The patriots also acknowledged the fact that none of the three senatorial districts could go it alone except with the cooperation and support of others.

He stated that the rights of others to aspire and seek the office of governor were not in doubt while the collective interest of the State should be placed above personal interest and ambition.

“For the avoidance of doubt and speculation, this quest, Patriots stated is across party divides and will be pursued vigorously,” it said.