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Tag: KOGI

Kogi free education and Bello’s out-of-school children policy

Prior to the current administration, the state of education in Kogi State lacked clear direction. A comprehensive 2017 survey conducted by ACTIONAID/PIBCID revealed critical insights into the education sector’s performance and challenges in the state. These findings highlighted deficiencies in performance and instructional delivery that hindered the achievement of critical goals: improving literacy rates, advancing Early Child Care Development Education (ECCDE), enhancing the quality of education from basic to tertiary levels, promoting girl-child education, and elevating ICT skills and STEM education.

In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology in Kogi State organized the 2018 State Education Summit, known as the ‘Education Roadmap.’ This summit gathered stakeholders to devise strategies for the state’s educational development. Subsequently, the Kogi State Education Law of 2020 was enacted to provide guidance and regulation for the education sector’s operations in the state.

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Kogi State has gone a step further by developing the State Education Strategic Plan (SESP) 2021-2030 and the State Education Operational Plan (SESOP) 2021-2027, which align with the Ministerial Strategic Plan (MSP) to address gaps in the education sector. Under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the administration has transformed the education landscape from one marked by neglect and decay to one filled with hope, improved access, equity, infrastructure development, and enhanced service delivery.

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One of the administration’s groundbreaking achievements in the education sector was the allocation of 30% of the budget to education in each fiscal year from 2021. This allocation exceeded the UNESCO-recommended benchmark of 26%, underscoring the government’s unparalleled commitment to education in the state. To ensure effective utilization of this investment, the state government conducted training sessions for over 2,000 school managers, focusing on curriculum delivery, quality assurance, and enhanced efficiency in partnership with NTI, NPC, NERDC, and FME. Additional training sessions on conducting the Annual School Census have been provided to over 1,500 individuals by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.

To enhance the workforce in the education sector, the government recruited an additional 3,979 teachers in February 2023 from a pool of 22,342 applicants. Before 2015, Kogi State’s education landscape was a cause for concern. The performance of Kogi students in national examinations like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB was disheartening. However, the current administration ushered in a transformative era. Substantial investments in educational infrastructure and the welfare of teachers and management staff have elevated the standard of Kogi students. This is a testament to the power of commitment and strategic planning.

According to statistics from the Federal Ministry of Education, the number of out-of-school children in Kogi State stood at 554,943 between 2014 and 2015. Through concerted efforts, the current administration has reduced that figure to 86,803, ranking Kogi as the 9th state with the lowest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria as of 2019. With the renewed commitment of the government under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello, it is anticipated that every school-age child will be in the classroom before 2024. Achieving this involved investments in primary education, renovating 833 classroom blocks, constructing 1,800 classrooms across the state, and establishing GYB Model Science Schools in the last 3 three years. It also involved training and retraining of teachers across all schools in the state.

Schools offering free education provide a pathway for individuals without financial resources to access quality education. These institutions alleviate the financial burden on students, enabling them to focus on their studies and living costs without the worry of school fees.In the current economic climate in Nigeria, many parents are faced with the challenges of paying schools fees. This burden on parents was exacerbated during the period of fuel subsidy removal. In response to these challenges, the federal and state governments provided palliatives, primarily in the form of food distribution to households across the country to cushion the harsh effect.

Governor Yahaya Bello took a visionary and audacious step on September 21, 2023, by declaring free education from primary school to secondary school levels in all public schools in Kogi State. Furthermore, the government committed to covering examination fees for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations, a testament to the leadership’s understanding of the importance of investing in the future.

The provision of free education eliminates the financial burden associated with school fees, allowing students to focus on their academic pursuits without the distraction of school fees concern. In Kogi State, Governor Bello’s policy of zero out-of-school children is now firmly established by this free education policy. By ensuring that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have access to quality education, Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration promotes inclusivity and equal opportunities for all. This reduces educational disparities, alleviates poverty, fosters economic development, enhances social mobility, and challenges traditional gender norms and stereotypes. In Kogi State today, under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello, parents who refuse to send their children to school are subject to penalties.

Governor Bello’s administration has also made remarkable strides in the state’s tertiary institutions. In an era where education stands as the bedrock of progress and development, the Bello-led administration in Kogi State has recognized the critical need to ensure young school leavers have access to higher education. To this end, the government embarked on an ambitious journey that led to the establishment of not one, but two state-owned universities: the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara in 2020 and Kogi State University in Kabba in 2023, supplementing the existing one. This monumental achievement has broadened the horizons of opportunities for the youth, unlocking doors that were once unimaginable.

Governor Bello’s commitment to ending the recurring industrial strike actions in all state-owned tertiary institutions stands as one of his significant accomplishments in the state’s education sector. For seven consecutive years, an environment of uninterrupted academic activities has prevailed, providing students with the stability and consistency they rightfully deserve. This not only enhances the quality of education but also bolsters the state’s reputation as a center of learning and innovation.

In the face of the economic challenges afflicting our nation, Governor Bello has exhibited genuine empathy for the struggles of parents. His declaration of free education from primary to secondary levels has alleviated a substantial financial burden on families throughout the state. Furthermore, his commitment to covering examination fees for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations demonstrates a governor who comprehends the paramount importance of investing in the future. This focus on free primary education plays a fundamental role in ensuring that everyone has equitable access to education, a matter of immense significance for individuals, communities, and entire nations.

Adeyemi Williams, PhD – Public Affairs Analyst, Writing from the State of Osun

October 17, 2023
Kogi Accord candidate gets endorsement

The governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Kogi State in the November 11 election, Admiral Jibrin Usman (rtd) has been endorsed by the people of Kogi Central.

They described him as the ‘most qualified and ready candidate’ to be the next governor.

They promised to vote for him, adding that he possesses the experience, capacity and wisdom to lead the state.

The people endorsed him at a reception in his honour in Okene Local Government last week.

Usman assured the people that he would address infrastructure deficit in the state when elected.

He urged them to believe in him, adding that their suffering would become a thing of the past.

“I have gone round the nooks and crannies of Kogi State, I have seen the hardship of Kogites, where hunger, poverty, thuggery and high level of infrastructure decay are the order of the day.

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“Let me assure all of you that immediately you elected me as your Governor, I will quickly put a measure that would address your sufferings and restore sanity and good governance in our state.

“Let me also assure the primary school teachers and Local Government staff across the state that when elected Governor, your percentage salary and neglect from the ruling All Progressives Congress would become history. You will enjoy your full salary just like it is done in other sectors. We must come together as one people and fight our common enemy.

“We need to pay attention to our women. We must empower them. Women are the bedrock of every society. I will empower our mothers so that all of us can have enough to eat when you elect me.

“I will roll out massive empowerment for our youths to reduce vice and increase responsibility among the people. We will create gainful employment for our teeming unemployed youths across the state,” he said.

The people added that they have placed all the candidates on “a scale and that those vying for the same position with him know that he ( Usman) is the most qualified” for the Governor’s seat.

October 9, 2023
Tinubu, governors to Kogi voters: don’t follow strangers, vote tested hands

• ‘Thousands defect from opposition parties’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) governors yesterday called on voters in Kogi State to vote the party’s candidate, Usman Ododo in the November 11 governorship election in the state.

The National Campaign Council for the Kogi State Governorship Election urged Kogites not to vote for strangers whose stock-in-trade was propaganda but sustain the trajectory of development in Kogi State by voting en masse for the APC.

Members of the National Campaign Council gave the charge at the official flag-off of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign and the official presentation of flag to Ododo, in Lokoja, on Sunday.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, expressed optimism that the APC would win the governorship election resoundingly, assuring the people of Kogi State that they were about to vote in a man with the intellectual capacity to consolidate on the many achievements of his boss, Governor Yahaya Bello.

He said the President had just approved funds for the construction of Ganaja Road, adding that the Abuja – Lokoja – Okene Road and Kabba – Ilorin Road would also receive the Federal Government’s attention very soon.

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The Vice President said: “For us to build on the legacy and for the purpose of continuity and consolidation, it becomes imperative for the people of Kogi State to align themselves with the power at the centre.

“President Tinubu is a man of courage and conviction, he is a man pregnant with ideas on how to reposition the nation, but Kogi, which is one of the frontiers of the North, Kogi, the Confluence State, cannot afford to have a state government that does not belong to the power at the centre.

“For the people of Kogi State to benefit immensely from the eight-point agenda of President Tinubu, for the people of Kogi State to benefit from the natural resources, it is absolutely essential that we should vote for a much more patriotic person who is grounded with the reality in Kogi State.

“Most important to the people of Kogi State is the Ajaokuta Steel Company that is the largest steel industry in the country.

“The President appointed a son of Kogi State from one of the prominent families in the state, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, to be the Minister of Steel Development. “Fundamentally, he was given the appointment to promote, project and preserve the interest of the people of Kogi State to see to the realisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which of course, is 98 per cent completed.

“Ajaokuta steel company has the potential to generate over 500,000 jobs once Ajaokuta is designated as an industrial zone.

“The youth want jobs, better education and good life. You are better off if you follow the man who knows road. Therefore, give your votes to APC, give your votes to Usman Ahmed Ododo. This is a young man who can deliver the desired dividend of democracy to you.”

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who is the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Kogi State Governorship Election, insisted that APC was the only party in the State and urged the people not to make the mistake of not consolidating on visible gains, ensuring the continuity of good governance and aligning with the party in the centre.

He said, “I urge you to vote for consolidation by voting for the APC Governorship Candidate to enable him build on security, infrastructure, education and several other visible achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.

“The APC will sustain the trajectory of development in Kogi State. Don’t vote for strangers. Get your PVC and vote for the APC. In Kogi State, we have only one party and that is the APC,” he said.

Governor Abiodun also welcomed thousands of defectors from opposition parties, who had just declared on Sunday for the APC, saying they had taken the best decision to stay with the winning train in the interest of the state’s sustained development.

The defectors were from the People’s Democratic Party, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, Accord Party and the African Democratic Congress, among others.

The Campaign Council Chairman maintained that, with the massive defection into the APC from the opposition political parties, it was clear that Ododo would emerge victorious.

The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, called for the unity of APC members in the coming Governorship election and urged the people of the state to shun ethnicity, stressing that what everyone should look forward to is the victory party for the APC.

“The only party in Kogi is the APC. We have all it takes to mobilise massively for the APC Governorship Candidate.

I’m looking forward to a victory party because we parade the best candidate who has uniting the people as his priority. Let’s shun tribalism and ethnicity,” Ganduje stated.

Governor Yahaya Bello said he thanked God that he had been able to place the State on the path of sustained development.

“Within the period of service to the people of the State, I have built and improved infrastructure, security, and recently made education in the state free at all levels in public, primary and secondary schools. I’m proud to state that we are leaving Kogi State better than we met it for those that will govern after us,” he said.

In his remarks, the Governorship Candidate, Ododo, promised to build on the outstanding achievements of Governor Bello, assuring the people that, if elected, their welfare and inclusive government would be his administration’s priority.

October 9, 2023
Kogi 2023: Don’t let strangers take over Kogi, Tinubu, APC Govs urge

Residents of Kogi State have been asked to provide the opportunity for consolidation of the outstanding dividends of democracy by the All Progressives Congress(APC).

They were urged to vote for the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo, in the November 11 governorship election.

The National Campaign Council for the Kogi State Governorship Election urged Kogites not to vote for strangers whose stock-in-trade was propaganda but sustain the trajectory of development in Kogi State by voting en masse for the APC.

Members of the National Campaign Council gave the charge at the official flag-off of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign and the official presentation of flag to the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo, in Lokoja, on Sunday.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressed optimism that the APC would win the November 11 governorship election resoundingly.

He assured Kogi State that they were about to vote in a man with the intellectual capacity to consolidate on the many achievements of his boss, Governor Yahaya Bello.

He said the President had just approved funds for the construction of Ganaja Road, adding that the Abuja – Lokoja – Okene Road and Kabba – Ilorin Road would also receive the Federal Government’s attention very soon.

According to him: “For us to build on the legacy and for the purpose of continuity and consolidation, it becomes imperative for the people of Kogi State to align themselves with the power at the centre.

“President Tinubu is a man of courage and conviction, he is a man pregnant with ideas on how to reposition the nation, but Kogi, which is one of the frontiers of the North, Kogi, the Confluence State, cannot afford to have a state government that does not belong to the power at the centre.

“For the people of Kogi State to benefit immensely from the eight-point agenda of Pesident Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the people of Kogi State to benefit from the natural resources, it is absolutely essential that we should vote for a much more patriotic person who is grounded with the reality in Kogi State.

“Most important to the people of Kogi State is the Ajaokuta Steel Company that is the largest steel industry in the country. The President appointed a son of Kogi State from one of the prominent families in the state, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, to be the Minister of Steel Development. Fundamentally, he was given the appointment to promote, project and preserve the interest of the people of Kogi State to see to the realisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which of course, is 98 per cent completed.

“The Ajaokuta steel company will help the Federal Government to fulfill the eight-point agenda of President Tinubu’s administration with respect to job creation, huge investment and revenue generation.

“Ajaokuta steel company has the potential to generate over 500,000 jobs once Ajaokuta is designated as an industrial zone.

“The youth want jobs, better education and good life. You are better off if you follow the man who knows road, therefore give your votes to APC, give your votes to Usman Ahmed Ododo. This is a young man who can deliver the desired dividend of democracy to you.”

Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Kogi State Governorship Election, insisted that APC was the only party in the State and urged the people not to make the mistake of not consolidating on visible gains, ensuring the continuity of good governance and aligning with the party in the centre.

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He said: “I urge you to vote for consolidation by voting for the APC Governorship Candidate to enable him build on security, infrastructure, education and several other visible achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.

“The APC will sustain the trajectory of development in Kogi State. Don’t vote for strangers. Get your PVC and vote for the APC. In Kogi State, we have only one party and that is the APC,” he said.

Abiodun welcomed thousands of defectors from opposition parties, who had just declared on Sunday for the APC, saying they had taken the best decision to stay with the winning train in the interest of the state’s sustained development.

The defectors were from the People’s Democratic Party(PDP); Labour Party (LP); Social Democratic Party (SDP); Accord Party and the African Democratic Congress(ADC) among others.

The Campaign Council Chairman maintained that, with the massive defection into the APC from the opposition political parties, it was clear that Ododo would emerge victorious.

The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, called for the unity of APC members in the coming Governorship election and urged the people of the state to shun ethnicity, stressing that what everyone should look forward to is the victory party for the APC.

“Without mincing words. The only party in Kogi is the APC. We have all it takes to mobilise massively for the APC Governorship Candidate.

I’m looking forward to a victory party because we parade the best candidate who has uniting the people as his priority. Let’s shun tribalism and ethnicity,” Ganduje stated.

Governor Yahaya Bello said he thanked God that he had been able to place the State on the path of sustained development.

“Within the period of service to the people of the State, I have built and improved infrastructure, security, and recently made education in the state free at all levels in public, primary and secondary schools. I’m proud to state that we are leaving Kogi State better than we met it for those that will govern after us,” he said.

“Without exaggeration, APC will win the November 11 Governorship election, landslide. This is because our work, achievements and our party will speak for us. Kogi is APC and APC is Kogi State,” he added.

In his remarks, the Governorship Candidate, Ododo, promised to build on the outstanding achievements of Governor Bello, assuring the people that, if elected, their welfare would be his administration’s priority.

“I’m promising more youth and women inclusiveness in governance. My agenda for the State is Kogi Agenda. I will not disappoint our leader and father, President Bola Tinubu; I will not disappoint my mentor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello; I will not disappoint our party and I will not disappoint the good people of Kogi State. We will consolidate on the achievements of my leader in the state and strive towards continuity and sustainability in the areas of security, education, agriculture, and improved infrastructure, amongst several areas the APC administration has made a mark,” he said.

He concluded that his mandate would be for the overall development of the State, stressing the improvement in the achievements of Governor Bello and in the wellbeing of his people as his priority.

The Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja, one of the sterling achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, could not contain the crowd that struggled to witness the historic inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign and presentation of flag to the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo.

As early as 9am, supporters, clad in different uniforms to distinguish their groups, as well as stakeholders from all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, trooped along the streets towards the Civic Centre in a way that suggested that a huge carnival was about to take place in the Confluence State.

October 8, 2023
Clashes among political party supporters threatens Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again raised concern over the increasing spate of insecurity and violence as well as clashes among supporters of political parties in the forth coming governorship elections in three states of. The federation.

The commission raised concern over the failure of political parties to upload the list of their polling and collation agents on the INEC portal as required by the rules and regulations guiding the elections.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner incharge of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun mni, the commission said the action of political parties and their supporters is capable of undermining the smooth conduct of the elections.

He said “the Commission is concerned about the spate of insecurity and violence, including clashes among supporters of Political Parties and candidates in the forthcoming elections.

“In our engagement with Political Parties, the Commission has constantly called on parties to rein in their supporters from actions capable of jeopardizing the peaceful conduct of elections in Nigeria.

“INEC earnestly appeal to all Political Parties and candidates to avoid utterances and acts that may heat up the polity.

“The Commission will continue to closely monitor the situation and sustain its engagement with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure a peaceful conduct of elections in the three States.”

Olumekun said further that out of the total number of polling agents expected from the three states, the political parties have only uploaded 55 percent of the figures.

He said: “The commission notified all Political Parties of the opening of its online portal for the upload of the list of polling units and collation centre agents, which commenced on Thursday 24th August 2023. The commission thereafter engaged party representatives on the methodology for a seamless process.

“However, despite this notice and subsequent reminders, Political Parties are yet to substantially comply by submitting the list of their agents.

“For Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, only 55% of the expected total of 189,180 polling unit agents have been uploaded to the designated INEC Portal. Specifically, 29,278 out of the expected 40,372 (72.5%) for Bayelsa State; 51,681 out of 85,644 (60.3%) for Imo, and 23,720 out of 63,144 (37.6%) for Kogi State have been uploaded.

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“Similarly, only 25.1% of the expected 15,804 Collation Agents in the three States have been uploaded: 1,246 (26.0%) out of 4,806 for Bayelsa; 1,638 (27.3%) out of 5,994 for Imo, and 1,095 (21.9%) out of 5,004 for Kogi State.

“The Commission hereby wishes to further remind Political Parties that the portal will automatically shut down at 12:00 midnight on Tuesday 10th October 2023.

“There shall be no extension. Consequently, all parties sponsoring candidates for the elections that are yet to upload the list of their agents should do so before the deadline for the exercise”.

Speaking on online Accreditation of Journalists to cover the elections, he said only 45 media organisations have so far applied for accreditation.

The statement said: “The online accreditation of Journalists commenced on 24th August 2023 and will close on 22nd October 2023. So far, 45 media organisations have applied for accreditation.

“The commission also wishes to use this medium to encourage all interested Media organisations to take advantage of the remaining window to apply on imap.inecnigeria.org before the deadline on 22nd October 2023.

“For emphasis, late applications will not be entertained and there is no provision for manual accreditation anymore.”

October 8, 2023
Kogi 2023: Ex-federal lawmaker, others, dump PDP for APC

The Kogi All Progressives Congress (APC) got a boost to its build-up towards the State governorship election following the defection of Alhaji Ismail Inah, a former federal lawmaker, into the party from the PDP on Friday.

A statement in Lokoja on Saturday by APC Campaign Council spokesperson, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said Inah and his supporters were received by Kogi APC chairman, Abdullahi Bello, in Ajaka, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of the state.

Inah, a former House of Representatives member, who represented Idah Federal Constituency in Kogi, was on Friday dressed and decorated with APC robes by Bello as a sign that he had fully pitched tent with the party.

The defecting ex-lawmaker, popularly known as Soul Lover, attributed his defection to the desire to contribute to the development of Kogi and the country as a whole.

He said the APC led government under Gov. Yahaya Bello had instituted unity, security and overall development of the state, hence his decision to support the party’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo, for consolidation.

Impressed by his admission into the party and witnessed by a crowd, the Kogi East political heavyweight vowed to mobilise massively for his new party and ensure APC’s overwhelming victory in the Nov. 11 governorship election.

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Welcoming Inah and his supporters, the Kogi Commissioner for Transportation, Baron Okwoli, hailed him and his team for their decision to join the APC and assured that they would work together to ensure victory for the party.

Deputy Governorship candidate, Mr Joel Oyibo, expressed joy for the high turnout of supporters that received the former lawmaker.

He assured the people of Igalamela-Odolu and the entire state that the governorship candidate, Ododo, when elected, would consolidate on the unity, security and infrastructure development instituted by Gov. Yahaya Bello.

The state’s party Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, welcomed the former lawmaker and his supporters.

Bello predicted victory for APC in Igalamela-Odolu and urged the new members to remain steadfast and committed to party functions, with a promise of equal opportunities alongside old party members.

October 8, 2023
Kogi 2023: LP records setback as 21 LG chairmen defect to APC

The Labour Party (LP) in Kogi State yesterday suffered a setback as all its 21 Local Government Chairmen defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was learnt that the chairmen defected to the ruling party with scores of their supporters.

The defectors were received by the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, at the Lugard House, Lokoja.

The leader of the defectors, Mr Awe Kayode, said that they decided to collapse their structure into the APC in order to support the party’s governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, in the forthcoming Nov. 11 governorship poll.

Kayode also said that their defection became imperative when they realised that the LP was no longer viable in state.

“Another reason for our defection is our conviction that the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, has shown that he is a unifier whose nationalist qualities are needed to consolidate on the achievements of Gov. Yahaya Bello.

“I was in APC before I left to join the Labour Party. I am back today with more people and we are ready to add value. LP got more than 76,000 votes in the last presidential election; we still have the same people that worked to achieve that feat.

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“The state belongs to all of us and we have decided to jettison ethnic or religious agenda to support the candidate of APC who promotes the Kogi agenda.

“Indeed Labour Party structure in the state was a formidable one that delivered massive votes to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, without inducement or support, but we want to do same to APC and Ododo this time around,” he said.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemi Jones, commended the leader of the “Obidient Movement” in Kogi, Awe Kayode, for his doggedness and mobilisation ability.

Jones said that the crowd seen was a testimony of the genuineness of their decision to join the progressives.

He urged the defectors to join forces in canvassing and mobilising for the victory of the APC governorship candidate to ensure sustainability and consolidation of the gains made by the Yahaya Bello’s administration.

Receiving the defectors, the Kogi APC Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, said “APC is a party that believes in development, equality and has a good reward system.”

October 7, 2023
Kogi APC needs reconciliation before poll, says Ohikere

Two-time Commissioner for Information in Kogi State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Tom Ohikere says the chances of the political parties during the November 11 governorship election in the Confluence State is a 50-50. The Managing Director, APC News Online and Chairman of Taeeiai Media Company also believes that the winner will bear the imprimatur of the ruling party. He spoke with reporters in Abuja. Excerpts by EMMANUEL OLADESU

You were quoted as saying that with the APC structure in Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo will win the November 11 governorship election. Why are you so confident?

Yes, as of then, but with the recent dynamics, it’s 50-50.

What has changed?

Currently, I am expecting the leadership of the party in the state and the administration to articulate the collective interests of stakeholders and shareholders, aggregate preferences and channel maximum energy into the campaigns, but the prevailing circumstance is that we are seemingly losing touch with the realities. Typically, the governor rejects honest critics who hold up a mirror to him and speak the truth to power. Instead the governor surrounds himself with sycophants who tell him what he wants to hear. Over time, the governor loses the capacity for honest dialogues as others learn not to confront him with the realities or truth.

You once made a case for coordinated campaign and inclusivity devoid of disjointed campaign. Did the composition of the APC campaign council meet your expectations?

I faulted the manner of uncoordinated and disjointed campaigns but I think strongly that with the campaign council already in place, the disconnection and anomalies could be corrected. The party urgently needs to intensify its effort to use the modest achievements of the outgoing APC administration of Governor Yahaya Bello to campaign.

The governor has actually recorded some success stories in some key areas. The campaign council should also be aware that the Kogi election is about APC versus APC as the other major contenders were major players in the APC before they were forced to take other platforms to contest. For example, Muri Ajaka was the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party and a major contributor to the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while Hon. Leke Abejide was a founding member of APC who was also forced to ADC for his ambition for the House of representatives but today, he is still very interested in APC as his significant contributions to Asiwaju’s presidential campaign. Or is it Admiral Jibril Usman (Accord Party’s candidate) who worked closely with Hon. James Faleke in the Tinubu Support Group and the APC presidential campaign council.

So the forthcoming election in the state is mainly about APC lords.

This is demonstrated by the followership of these titans who are all APC members. We can hardly blame anybody for anti-party activities today. This high level of political distrust and reduced party identification suggest that APC is still in crisis in Kogi state. Political parties are prisoners of their history, that is, when you look at the present status of APC in Kogi State from the historical events, what we witness today are coming from the accumulated errors. The present is therefore a function of the past.

For example, the foundation of APC in Kogi Central was laid at my residence in Adavi by Prince Abubakar Audu. He mandated me to lead the inaugural membership drive of the party and I have consistently worked for the party in the 2015 campaigns where I was the head of media and publicity and in 2019 when I served as the Secretary of the media and publicity of the campaign council. Regrettably, I have been ostracized by the administration. So many stakeholders are also affected in the same manner.

So, APC over the past eight years, in the state has been faced with the challenges of increasing popular disenchantment, and falling trust in leadership among other factors.

So, the leadership must be able to look into these problems to ensure maximum participation in the forthcoming election.

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What would you advise the APC leadership to do about the case at the Supreme Court filed by Senator Smart Adeyemi against Ododo’s nomination?

The case of Senator Smart Adeyemi at the Supreme Court is a very serious case that the party was supposed to use its internal mechanism to resolve earlier and should not have been allowed to reach this level. It is a case I followed very keenly as someone in Adeyemi’s camp. In the course of Ododo’s visit to me, I advised his team to seek every legal alternative to reconcile with Adeyemi and a member of Ododo’s team who happens to be the present Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy, Hon Deedat Ozigi became confrontational and even challenged me. To my understanding, Senator Smart Adeyemi is a very responsive party man and a good listener but they did not approach him sufficiently.

Senator Smart Adeyemi is a frontline political player in this country and I don’t advise any leader to make him your enemy, as it’s always better for Adeyemi to be on the same page with you to enjoy his support and goodwill.

I can confidently say Smart Adeyemi is one of the most honest players I have met. He must have been mishandled by some younger players. So, APC needs his support for.

Isn’t it a little too late for any proactive reconciliation now that the supreme court has fixed October 23 date for judgment?

The party hierarchy and Governor Yahaya Bello can do it in less than 24 hours. They should approach Adeyemi in the spirit of peace and survival of the party in the state. Senator Smart holds the four aces, he owns the case and he can manage it.

You were a major voice in the agitation for power shift to Kogi West and close ally of Senator Smart Adeyemi. What is your stand now as a supporter of Ododo?

I was in the vanguard for power rotation to Kogi West because that is how it is supposed to be, for fairness and justice. Kogi East and Kogi Central must give Kogi West a sense of belonging in the Kogi project. I was in the camp of Senator Smart Adeyemi because he is from Kogi West, he is very competent and prepared to serve, but after the primary election, I had no choice than to support Usman Ododo. And I don’t regret my support for Kogi West and Adeyemi. My advice to the leadership of the APC in the state is that we should do the needful to avoid witnessing a vote of anger against the system as voters are approaching the polls with fatigue and discontent. This is because it seems that citizens may be using the election to express their discontent, a phenomenon referred to as the “anger vote” which can be defined as the rejection of political parties,traditional elites and central institutions as people may be voting for newer political platforms created around political personalities and not party choice.

At this juncture, the health of APC in Kogi state should be serious concern to the president and the APC headquarter if we must emerge victorious in the November election.

What in your opinion should form the mainstay of the 2023 Kogi governorship election campaigns across party lines; the fundamental issues?

One, power rotation: Today, the candidates of APC, SDP and others are calling for Kogi Agenda, but forgetting that the agenda is incomplete without Kogi West, thinking that Kogi West must enjoy the benefits of it’s share of place in Lugard house. For equity, fairness and a sense of belonging, the issue of power rotation must be articulated and brought to the front burner. I expected that Governor Yahaya Bello would put a deliberate effort in place, like legislating it and putting the framework in place. This will further facilitate the acceptance of Ododo. Two, the achievement of GYB: This will be a major campaign point, for or against him. I am expecting that Ododo will X-ray this as a campaign lobby, while the opposition is expected to use this factor too. To me, the governor has recorded modest achievements. Added to the issue of power rotation is the factor of contention. That, for example, after 19 years in Lugard’s house, are the Igalas supposed to be in contention? That should the Ebiras continue in the government house after eight years as legalized? Three, the position of Kogi in the national poverty index: Has life improved under APC? In the areas of feeding, illnesses, and deaths? Four, the staff screening exercise and its results. Five, the relationship between the government and the people. Six, the Greater Lokoja Waterworks established by former Governor Ibrahim Idris. Seven, what is the state of public infrastructures?

The untapped mineral potentialities in the state; the state of education, health and rural development?

These are the fundamental issues in this election.

October 6, 2023
Steer clear of Kogi politics, GOC warns soldiers

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigeria Army, Ibadan Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Ali-Alabi, has warned military personnel in Kogi State to steer clear of local politics.

Maj.-Gen. Ali-Alabi gave the warning yesterday while addressing officers and men during his familiarisation visit to 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, the state capital.

The GOC tasked the officers and men to be professional in carrying out their duties during the governorship election billed for November 11 in the state.

He remained them as soldiers, that they have no business with partisan politics, warning that anyone found wanting will face the consequences.

Gen. Ali-Alabi said: “As soldiers you have no business with politics so you must remain neutral and not get partisan in the forthcoming Kogi governorship election of November 11.

Read Also: Kogi APC suspends campaign as Ododo visits family, community of slain member

“You must be disciplined and professional at all times as you do your work. You’re here to help other security operatives in overcoming the security challenges and securing and keeping the peace of the state and Nigeria as a whole.”

The GOC assured the personnel of his support to the good work they were doing in the state, so that they could achieve more.

He said: “The commanding officer has intimated me of your achievements and challenges, which by God’s grace shall be tackled to encourage you to perform better. We thank you so much for your good works.

“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is interested in equipping and training of officers of the Nigerian Army as a motivational force towards general administration in line with his command philosophy.”

The GOC said that what was key to the COAS was seeing that the troops were well motivated to carry out their responsibilities of keeping the peace and securing the nation.

He also inspected the newly-constructed Regimental Sergeant Major residence within the Brigade and the Commander’s Guest House in Lokongoma area of Lokoja.

He was at the Forward Operation Base (FOB), Adogo in Ajaokuta and 109 Special Forces Battalion FOB in Okene, where he addressed the troops.

October 5, 2023
Kogi APC suspends campaign over slain member
- Ododo visits deceased family
In honour of a slain member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Khadijat Yahaya, the ruling party has suspended its campaigns for the November 11 governorship election.

Yahaya was allegedly killed by thugs loyal to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kotonkarfe last weekend.

Confirming the suspension of campaigns, the Kogi State APC Campaign Council Director General, Kingsley Fanwo, said the party, which values life above political interest, decided to register its grief over the slain member and therefore thought it necessary to suspend all campaign activities for a while.

To register his grief, the party’s governorship candidate Usman Ododo, on Tuesday, visited the family of the deceased.

Read Also: Kogi APC suspends campaign as Ododo visits family, community of slain member

The candidate’s first port of call was the palace of the Ohimege of Kotonkarfe, Alh. Abdulrazak Isa Koto, where he expressed sadness over the death of Khadijat.

He described the late Khadijat as “a woman of peace who was desirous of seeing development in Kotonkarfe”.

He vowed to ensure justice for the deceased and her family.

Ododo sympathised with the family, saying the entire APC family was mourning the death of Khadijat.

A leader of the party from the local government, Saliu Akawu, thanked the governorship candidate for the visit.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Angulu said the conduct of Ododo showed he is a compassionate leader who will always identify with his people.
October 5, 2023