The race to Senatorial Election is around the corner. The race is getting closer every passing day. Actors and supporters are up in showcasing their political wizardry. Promises upon promises. And the gullible are cut in fiasco of where , who and how the pendulum will swing.
However, the pertinent question is , which district should produce the next senator to represent the Kogi East?
Historically and contemporarily, kogi East had and still has three districts — Idah, Dekina and Ankpa. These Districts have all along on mutual ground displayed oneness in matters , including political that concern the zone.
Idah as the cradle of Igala civilization has maintained its leading position on the remaining two as matters relating to customs and traditions are channelled to the headquarters of the Kingdom for dispassionate resolution.
Idah has played significant roles in shaping and projecting the image of the kingdom. It has been a father figure to the rest of the kingdom.
The Idah district being the oldest in the kingdom ought to have the right of first refusal in all issues that concern the zone.
For hindsight, Idah district compose of four (4) local government councils consisting of Ibaji, Igalamela Odolu, Ofu and Idah, the highest in the zone.
However, since the turn of Second and third Republics, the Idah district has become the whipping boy in the election of senators that would represent the zone. Its brothers of Ankpa district comprising– Ankpa, Olamaboro, Omala and Dekina district comprising Dekina and Bassa- have had fair share in the allocation and grabbing of senatorial seat meant for the Kogi East .
In politics just as other human endeavors, it is not given on the platter of gold. It is grab and run, the new dictum propounded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his 2023 election.
However, framers of Democracy inculcate safeguards for the sake of the weak. Although, Democracy is the game of numbers, mutual agreement often play important role in supporting the weak in whatever guise.
Lamentably, Idah District has become the weakling in the allocation of senatorial seat in the zone. Idah has and still playing fatherly responsibilities to the other districts, and it is incumbent on the other zones to say, our father, senior brother, we have had enough from your benevolence, we will honour you this time, and will not contest against your choice in the forthcoming senatorial election.
In the light of Plato’s opinion against Democracy that it is a chaotic, lawless system that often elevates unskilled leaders and inevitably leads to tyranny, a system where “opinion takes the place of expertise,” allowing populists to seize power., the contemporary Democrats introduced mutual arrangements to correct the imbalances inherent in the system.
Doing this, is assumably the best option for the cohesion of our zone. If we can stand united as a people in other areas of concern, Senate slot should not be a killjoy.
We have the capacity to harmonize our dissent without external forces. And the time to prove our oneness is now.
For statistics sake, Dekina District now Federal Constituency has produced :
• Alex Kadiri (1999–2003)-4 years
• Nicholas Ugbane (2003–2011)-8 years
• Jibrin Isah Echocho (2019–Date)
~20 years in the Senate by 2027. While the Ankpa district—Ankpa Federal Constituency
• Attai Aidoko (2011–2015)
• Abdul Abubakar Railway (2015) – 6 months -Not recognized as a senator by law because his election was nullified and shouldn’t be counted.
• Attai Aidoko (2015–2018) total period of 6 years 6 months.
• Isaac Alfa (October 2018–June 2019)-8 months.
Lamentably the Idah District -Idah Federal Constituency- since the beginning of 4th Republic Democracy in 1999 snobbishly produced Barrister Dangana Ocheja (August -November 2015 – only 4 months)- Not recognized as a Senator by law because election was nullified and shouldn’t be counted.
Notably, Idah Federal Constituency, with 4 LGAs, has never had a representative since the beginning of the 4th Republic in 1999.
This imbalance is unjust and unacceptable.
If we are truly one united people, then Idah deserves the right of first refusal in 2027.
We therefore, call on:
• Dekina to step aside after nearly two decades of representation and
Ankpa district , better known as federal constituency, to support Idah District in the spirit of fairness and unity
We have shown patience.
We have shown loyalty.
Now, it is time for reciprocation.
Enough is enough.
2027 is Idah’s turn.
(ikowa liya)
Awa Loko!
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