Surveyor Zacchaeus Jonathan, the Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency Labour Party House of Representatives Candidate in the last February National Assembly Election has congratulated Muslims on the conclusion of the Ramadan fast.
In his Sallah message to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting period, Surv. Zacchaeus while speaking with Journalists, stressed the importance of putting the virtues of Islam into practice beyond the fasting season.
While congratulating Muslims on completing “this spiritually significant month of sacrifice,” the Kogi State Labour Party Chieftain urged them to reflect on the importance of Ramadan in becoming good ambassadors of Islam at all times.
According to Surv. Zacchaeus “religion should be the moral compass for all believers in their public and personal lives,” adding that “if people allow the teachings of their religions to influence their conducts, problems such as corruption, which diverts public funds to private pockets, would have been eliminated in the society.”
On his aspiration to represent the people of Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency, Surv. Zacchaeus says the matter is in court, but however says, talks are ongoing with critical stakeholders in the State for withdrawal of the matter, stressed that his seeking legal redress followed his exclusion and that of the Labour Party from the ballot.
He however was quick to point out that he is listening to voices of reasoning from highly respected quarters and individuals in the interest of the State for withdrawal of the matter.
On power sharing in the State, the need for balance and the need for sense of belonging, Surv. Zacchaeus says the need for inclusion of Lokoja in the next dispensation would go along way in maintaining balance.
Surv. Zacchaeus described Lokoja and Kogi LGAs as occupying a pride of place in the scheme of politics of the State, urged for the APC and other political parties to cede or pick their running mates from Lokoja.
While pointing out that Lokoja aside occupying the position of speakership, a position they handled very well, they have the population that will make any party win and ensure a sense of belonging and balancing.
While explaining that he is aware that all the political parties are looking in the direction of the East, Surv. Zacchaeus says he is also aware that aside the APC, PDP, all the other political parties have candidates from the East, making it less attractive for the APC or PDP to pick deputy from the area.
While the Ebira in Central Senatorial District he disclosed has produced Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo in the APC, Surv. Zacchaeus said the Okun in the West have produced Sen. Dino Melaye – PDP, Leke Abejide – ADC, Jimoh Braimoh – Action Alliance, thus leaving Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency an orphan.
Similarly the East he added has thus far produced candidates of Igala extraction from the East in NNPP, Labour, SDP and YPP, urged for the APC to particularly look in the direction of Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency for the slot of the Deputy Governor as what will happen in the election will be a scramble and partitioning, described Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency as the Joker.
While maintaining that the east has held on to the Governorship for about 17 years, nothing he said stops the east from producing the Speakership in the next dispensation with Lokoja that has helped in Political stability over the years allowed to produce the Deputy Governor.