OKUN Development Association (ODA), the Yoruba speaking part of Kogi State in North Central Nigeria has demanded for 2023 governorship ticket.
The President General of ODA, Barr Femi Mokikan while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Lokoja, he said More than 30 years now, the Okun people are the most marginalized major ethnic group in Kogi State in the area of employment, appointment, project execution until recently when there was paradigm shift in the present administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State.
He noted that on assumption of office, the governor introduced a policy known as “EBIGO AGENDA” meaning Ebira, Igala and Okun Agenda.
“This primary purpose of introducing EBIGO was to promote unity and oneness of the Government and people of Kogi State with the sole aim of portraying the interest of Kogi first above individual or selfish interest.
“Without an iota of doubt, the EBIGO agenda is commendable and one of the best move of the New Direction Government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as it has confirmed that Kogi State belongs to all, Igalas, Ebiras and Okuns as against the claims of some quarters in the past.
“Worthy of note and encomiums is the institutionalization of this agenda in the Area of appointments (both civil service and political), allocation and execution of projects. This is why Okun people will continue to be grateful to Kogi Governor, for the establishment of one of largest Rice Mill in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.
He said that the Okun speaking were included during the Creation of Kogi in 1991 from Kwara State alongside Ebira people while the Igalas came from Benue State.
He noted that on the 2023 Governorship election, for the purpose of equity, fairness and justice the time has come for Okun land and Kogi West to present the next Governor of Kogi State.
“As a matter of fact, The Igalas have produced three different Governors namely, Late Prince Abubakar Audu, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Captain Idris Ichala Wada while Ebiras are presently occupying the Lugard House for the second term
“For the EBIGO Agenda of this Administration to be institutionalized for even posterity sake, the next Gubernatorial Candidate should be zoned to Kogi West. By so doing, Governor Yahaya Bello will be leaving a Legacy of Unity that informed the introduction of the Ebira, Igala and Okun Agenda.
The President General stressed that as Kogi state celebrates its 30 years of creation, it important to state that Okun is lacking behind as it is the only Area in the State without a University as the East has the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba while the Central has the New Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara.
“This is why we’re appealing to the State government to as a matter of fact establish a University in Okun land to justify the equity, fairness and justice that form the mantras of the present Administration.
“We also appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently sign into law the bill establishing Federal University of Agriculture, Kabba as done for some states in Nigeria recently.
He imployed the people in Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa/Amuro, Yagba East and West Local Government Areas as well as Oworo land to come out enmasse and participate in the Voters registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He warned that if they want to continue to maintain the current political participation, it won’t speak well for them and their children in future as he called on his people in diaspora to motivate their children of 18 years and above to register for their PVCs at their respective LGAs. This is because we need to increase our voting strength.
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