By Omakoji Ochedi.
How would parents feel, when their children up to choose their spouses. A neighbor would determine their choices. That is absurdity not love. Arrogance of power against the will of the family. This is a comic tale of kogi East in the choice of who to represent them in the Red chamber of the National Assembly in the forthcoming senatorial election.
Kogi East unarguably the largest population in the state, with cache of highly mobile and intelligent people. People that have the wherewithal to choice between good and bad.
Kogi East has had power for many years in the state. Kogi East has not been known to meddle with affairs of other zones of the state in the issue of internal cohesion and choices. This stand of the people of Kogi East is not borne out of weakling, but , strength of recognizing boundaries. They hate and detest interloping with the last blood in their veins.
Kogi East has never been consumed in political warfare. They are warriors in political arithmetic, even in and out of powers. They are renown to speaking with one voice. They seldom being cowed by outsiders no matter their stronghold on government. They are law abiding citizens. They are meticulous in whatever choices they decide to make , giving considerations to diverse views across the zone. Kogi East is not at a crossroad. It is firmly in control of her choices no matter whose ox is gored.
Historically, the zone is known to be tenacious and rugged in their preference for those who will represent their collective aspirations. They are not booth lickers. They are great men and women who will not sell birthrights for portage. The zone has demonstrated resilience against external impositions in the past. In the Second Republics while still in Benue state, attempts by outsiders to railroad a deputy governor position on them was met with stiff resentment. They rejected the choice of the powers that be and ensured their choice won.
It is trite that Kogi East with all her human endowments cannot be subjugated by any outsider to dictate a senator for them.
2027 General election is here. Rumours are rife.Misinformation and propaganda are in the front burner. Fairly tales are in abundance in the market place. politicians swim in self delusion to making connections to those perceived to matter most in government. What they will do to configure them to powerful members of Government is not in short supply. Weirdness becomes the order of the day. But, what is not lacking with the character of kogi East is their refusal to be kowtowed to outsiders. To them , no one has the audacity to dictate to them even at the behest of terror , intimidation and harassment.
However, rumours making the rounds are pointing accusing fingers at the Accountant General of Kogi state, Hajia Habitat Tijani Onumoko of imploding the flames of a dissent for the zone. It is learnt that she is mobilizing a gullible and a reputable ‘falling at feet’ for the Senate in Kogi East. Let the world hear and tell her that, she ain’t the first and not going to be the last Accountant General of the state and should not dabble into issue she rarely understand. Kogi East is not a jungle. It is a place domicile with personalities of good consciences and sound judgements to decide on their Representatives.It is assumed that she is a woman of honour and dignity and should maintain that for posterity. Dabbling into Kogi East will scratch image she had worked so hard to earn. A stitch in time saves nine .
In a democratic setting the people are the leader. They have the power to choose, and they will exercise it.
“We will not be intimidated, we will not be swayed. We will choose our leader, and we will shape our destiny
“The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce. But one thing is clear: the people of Kogi East will not be taken for granted.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it,” a notable quote that fits the current situation. The people of Kogi East are ready to create their future” current lyrics in the lips of kogi Easterners.
Kogi East has made their preferred choice. The zone is determined to rectify the imbalance this time. It is a settled commitment to take the Senate slot to Idah Federal Constituency, and no amount of external horse trading will shift their stand. The two Federal constituencies- Ankpa and Dekina are people with conscience. They have willy nilly and tacitly approved the candidate that Idah Federal Constituency will project for the slot. Idah Federal Constituency as the forerunner of Kogi East deserves collective and mutual agreement for her candidate.
There is no gainsaying that some dissidents from other constituencies would not dare to test the will power of the people, but, their case has long been settled. They know it and their sponsors know it as well, that the journey is already roughed .
2027 is an acid test for kogi East to accentuate their oneness. To tell the outside world that they are monolithic in all spheres of lives. They are abreast that political positions are not end game, but,a floatation to berth at desired jetty , with Idah Federal Constituency as a mutual port of destination.
Meanwhile traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion moulders and stakeholders are working the talk to galvanize collective and unified choice of Idah in this dispensation . It is achievable and the time is now.
Omakoji Ochedi writes from Abuja.
