By joshua DE GROUP’S Response to kogi LGA stakeholders press conference.
The Kogi LGA “Happy Slaves” Can Wait Till 2031, But Kogi West Train Has Left The Station*
De Group’s attention has been drawn to a shameful press conference by a self-appointed group from Kogi LGA, Koton-Karfe, led by one Sen. Ado Shuaibu, declaring that Kogi West should wait till 2031.
It is very clear that these individuals do not speak for the 11 Wards of Kogi LGA. They speak for their stomachs.
We ask them: Where were their voices when Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Ibro did 8 years? Where were their voices when Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada did his first term and was seeking a second term? Did they tell Kogi West to wait then?
Fact-check us: Late Prince Abubakar Audu, our revered leader, did first term TWICE – 1992-1993 and 1999-2003. Nobody told Audu to wait for equity. Nobody told Ibro and Wada to wait for fairness. But now that it is the turn of Kogi West, after 34 years of loyalty, they have suddenly discovered equity and fairness and want West to wait till 2031.
This is the betrayal they glossed over. For 34 years, Kogi West has been loyal, humble, supportive. We voted massively for East and Central. We hosted the capital without complaint. Today, our own brothers from Kogi LGA want to mortgage our inalienable constitutional right to contest for Governor in 2027 for Ododo’s second term.
They say Ododo has constitutional right to seek second term, but Kogi West has no constitutional right to contest at all until 2031. Who gave them the power to postpone our constitutional rights? The same sponsors who funded Omoluabi’s 21 LGA tour to rally support for Ododo under the guise of Unity Summit?
We have maintained without apology: We support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s outstanding developmental strides and his second term.
But on Kogi, let the facts speak: In the last 16 years, Lokoja / Kogi Federal Constituency has not felt any serious state government presence. Lokoja township roads , Felele, Adankolo remain death traps. Water supply is epileptic. Yet both Yahaya Bello and Ahmed Ododo have concentrated 80% of infrastructural development in Okene axis. Go and verify.
And yet, the so-called Kogi LGA stakeholders will mount a press conference to praise Ododo’s strides in Kogi LGA? Which strides? Where? Mention one completed township road, one functional water scheme, one hospital upgrade in Koton-Karfe commissioned by this administration in the last 22 months.
They can not because there is none. What we have are two uncompleted projects on the outskirts – Zariagi Airport and Zone 8 Market – both funded by N50bn Sukuk that is yet to be accounted for.
When Omoluabi finished touring 21 LGAs with a predetermined communique to endorse Ododo, we thought we had seen the worst form of political slavery from Kogi West. Out of the blues, this hungry group from Kogi LGA emerged, questioning our right to even dare contest against Ododo.
Sen. Ado Shuaibu, who is yet to tell us which Senatorial District and in which senate he served, and his co-travelers are struggling to win their polling units. They can not win ward elections. They can not speak for Koton-Karfe, talk less of Kogi West Senatorial District.
Our message is simple: When you follow the money, you lose your self-worth and you lose your community at a crucial moment.
You can wait till 2031 for your own pockets. You can endorse Ododo till eternity for your own reward.
But Kogi West will not wait. Kogi West will contest. Kogi West will organize. Kogi West will take Lugard House in 2027.
The train has left the station. The “happy slaves” are still at the station, waiting for crumbs.
De Group – For Kogi West 2027 Agenda.