Multiplicity of Candidates:
The situation of Kogi State, particularly Kogi East in the past nearly eight years to say the least, has been a sad commentary which has placed Kogi State in a steep- falling state. The zeal by many to revamp this backward trend has led many candidates to throw their hats into the ring to contest for the State’s November 11, 2023 governorship election. Unfortunately, the multiplicity of candidates vying for the governorship position on different political platforms, presents a huge challenge for the stakeholders of Kogi East if a candidate from the zone is to emerge victorious.
In the face of this challenge, Ukomu Igala Organisation set up a committee towards the end of 2022 to address the problems of Kogi East political backwardness and streamline the number of candidates contesting for the governorship position in the State. Before long, we were joined by Igala-Bassa Relief and Development Initiative, Advisory Council, Kogi East Elders Council, Igala Elders Consultative Forum, Ojuju Agbadufu, Igala in Focus, Political Critical Stakeholders and over 40 platform participants joining us in the search for a consensus candidate.
Search for A Consensus Candidate
The Committee started by interacting with the various aspirants on the 29th of March 2023, on the 4th and 11th of April, 2023 respectively with the aim of making them to understand what was at stake. Thereafter, the Committee issued a preliminary report before the primary elections in different political parties and suggested that the process for a consensus Candidate, could only be addressed among candidates who are able to secure their parties tickets,
Our Committee found that all the candidates are ably qualified however, only one candidate will occupy the seat.
Following the conclusion of the political parties primary elections and the subsequent release of INEC list of candidates who emerged their party flag bearers, the engagement with the candidates continued and we received recommendations from over 40 groups and associations of Kogi East extraction of their preferred candidates. We also examined certificates of the candidates and likely encumbrances to the best of our abilities. We are happy to report that all the candidates met the basic lawful requirements
The Committee went on further consultations with other critical stakeholders from across Kogi East grass roots and interacted with citizens from other senatorial zones.
The candidates were encouraged to interact among themselves with the purpose of agreeing on a candidate to present. The candidates met several times and requested that they be given up to 9th June to present their report. Only yesterday 11th June, 2023, the Committee received report of five among the Nine candidates who stepped down for Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
Presentation of Our Consensus Candidate
While this process lasted, the Committee was not unaware of the high expectations of Kogi citizens to pick a consensus winning candidate but we kept appealing for calm and patience to enable us conclude the process objectively in line with the people’s desires. The Committee having carefully examined the candidate’s capacities, popularity/acceptability, network and in consideration of the various recommendations and reports received from the grassroots, we, on behalf of the alliance working groups under the auspices of Kogi East Elders Committee announce that Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party, SDP is hereby endorsed as the Kogi East consensus candidate and is presented to the Kogi people. We wish you well and sincerely pray for you to succeed in accordance with objectives of government and governance run with good intentions. It is however necessary to note that the success of a leader or any one bestowed with trust such as the one conferred on our Committee does not occur when he does his own will, but when he fulfills the desires and yearnings of the people he presides over.
We want to use this medium to call on all other candidates to please rally round Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka for the sake of the entire Kogi State to ensure our victory at the poll. We plead that the candidates collapse their structures to close ranks with the other candidates and work together to achieve the desired aim to rescue Kogi State.We wish you well and sincerely pray for you to succeed in accordance with expectations of the critical mass of Kogi people.
By this endorsement, all Citizens of Kogi State are invited to take up the Candidacy of Alhaji Muritala Ajaka as a collective project.
May God help Us all
Thank you.
