It is so given that Kogi State is an amalgam of various ethnic nationalities that were distinct from one another until the creation of the state in 1991.
With its acclaimed numerical strength, the Igala who dominate the Eastern Senatorial District have been dominant in the political equation of the state. All the elected governors since the creation of the state have come from the area.
The Okun Yoruba are found in Kogi West Senatorial District, while the Ebira are in the Central Senatorial district.
Given that the East has consistently produced the political leadership of the state since 1991, it is not surprising that there has been clamour for power shift from the zone to other zones.
That agitation was recently formalised among leaders of the West and Central senatorial districts who came up with a pronouncement that their people should reject any governorship candidate that is not from any of the two zones.
This notion is seen to be responsible for the present alignment and realignment of some power brokers along ethnic flanks with the incumbent governor, Alhaji Idris Wada as the main target.
Remarkably, the threat against Wada is coming from within and outside his East Senatorial zone with Alhaji Isah Echocho and a former governor of the state governor, Prince Abubakar Audu among the major contenders from the Igala speaking zone.
Echocho, a former governorship aspirant in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, is believed to have political tentacles spread across the senatorial districts in the state. It was this advantage that saw him grabbing the party’s governorship ticket at the first PDP primaries in 2011, before being subdued in a high-powered politics that ensued thereafter.
Already, his presence has been registered across the state through campaign billboards and posters. Though a PDP member, analysts foresee him dumping the party for Accord given the likelihood of the incumbent governor, Wada emerging the party’s candidate.
The aspiration of Audu which appears surprising to many who had thought that he was no more aiming at the governorship position is a source of concern considering his prime position in the All Progressives Congress, APC.
So, relying on the quest for power shift in line with the norm in most states at the recent general election, the coalition of Okun, Lokoja and Ebira Koto from the Western Senatorial zone; Egbira, Ogori/Mangogo from the Central Senatorial and the Bassa, are pushing for a common candidate.
The emerging bloc intends pursuing this agenda in the APC and PDP. However, should the endeavour fail, it was gathered that their support may likely go for an aspirant on the platform of a different party.
An indication of this readiness was recently played out at a political forum in the state, where leading political players from the two senatorial zones vowed to wrestle power from the Igala.
Predominantly made up of serving and former members of the National Assembly, former ministers, among others, they pledged to present a single governorship candidate at the election.
They also threatened to disown anyone from the area, who may betray the cause particularly by accepting the offer of being a running mate to anyone from the Igala area.
The outcome of a screening exercise carried out by the Okun Development Association, ODA, produced a former acting Governor of the state, Chief Clarence Olafemi, Dr. Yaqeen Habeeb and Suleiman Baba Ali as shortlisted aspirants.
They are to be screened alongside Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who was nominated by the Central Senatorial District.
Senator Muhammed Ohiare and former Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Philip Salahu are also in the race.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/kogi-the-ethnic-card/
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