Kogi 2023 Crises Engulf APC
OpenLife Nigeria reports that as preparations for the Kogi 2023 governorship get under way, gladiators are in the trenches, strategizing for a final showdown over the soul of Lugard Government House.
Obviously not leaving any stone unturned to demonstrate his re invigorated political strength on account of his closeness to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Honourable Abiodun Faleke has renewed his age long battle with governor Yahaya Bello over who flies the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in November 2023.
To this effect, Faleke, who presides over appropriation committee in the House of Representatives, is said to have sought the approval of Tinubu for Kogi West slot in the governorship in which Tinubu is said to have “Told him to let all of them go to the field and be campaigning for now.”
Faleke who is favoured for the ticket has publicly declined on account of higher responsibility awaiting him in the Villa after inauguration on May 29.
To further drive home his persuasion, Faleke, on April 9 said in statement that Kogi West should be allowed to produce next governor, stressing that in the spirit equity and fairness, producing the next governor from Kogi West is simply the right thing to do.
“I wish to add my voice to the various opinions being expressed by many on the vexed issue of which part of Kogi State should produce the next Governor, it has become imperative for me to let Kogites know my stand irrespective of my decision not to participate in the primaries for reasons I stated earlier.
“For equity, justice and fairness, it is only reasonable to lend my voice to the call by many that our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) should ensure the candidate for the Governorship election emerge democratically from Kogi West,” Faleke, who served as the Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC-PCC) in the 2023 General Elections, said in a statement he personally signed.
He added that “For a heterogeneous State such as Kogi State, giving all parts of the state a sense of belonging is key to peaceful coexistence among the several ethnic groups in the state.
“I hereby appeal to my brother, His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello to recall the circumstances of his ascension to power and do all within his sense of reasoning as the leader of the party in the state in ensuring he doesn’t toy with this rare opportunity to be on the positive side of history,” he requested.
But Yahaya Bello who boasts of impressive credentials in political warfare is not prepared to yield the ground to “Little” Faleke despite his attachment to Tinubu.
To this effect, Yahaya Bello “Instructed Abdulkareem Asuku, his Chief of Staff, to get the form,” OpenLife was told Sunday night by an APC stalwart who requested anonymity.
The source added that governor Bello has vowed to ensure that his choice succeeds him and “Not any externally imposed individual.”
Continuing, the source narrated that the decision by Abdulkareem Asuku to join the race has Bello’s approval.
Abdulkareem Asuku, who currently serves as chief of staff to Bello has already picked the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for the governorship ticket of APC ahead of the November 11 guber election.
The 39 year old paid N50 million for the forms saying he is involved in the race to consolidate on the numerous achievements of Governor Bello in the areas of security, infrastructural development, women inclusiveness and all-inclusiveness.
He knocked off Faleke’s argument saying “We are not talking about politics of ethnicity and religious affiliation, we are looking for who can bring development. I served as the chief of staff of this administration and many have referred to it as the engine room of the administration. I believe it better to elect a man who is a part of the God-fearing administration of His Excellency,” Asuku said.
The chief of staff said he was sure of victory because the youths constituted 75% of the voters registered as provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that would benefit him as someone within that age bracket.
Asuku also said he is threatened by anyone in the race with him on account of zoning, position, tribe or religion, hence it was an open contest left for the electorate to decide.
“Youths are today in charge in Nigeria and that is why someone like me can come and pick a form to contest for governorship at the age of 39. Asking me about what I have for the youth is not a question at all, when we get there the youths will see themselves,” he promised.
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