Some All Progressive Congress (APC) groups in Kogi State, under the aegis of The Concerned K STRATEGIES State APC Groups, have expressed worry over oppression and suppression of party members during the recent party gubernatorial primaries.
In an open letter letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect, Bola Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, titled ‘ Facts and Figures Before APC Falls on 11th November , 2023 Kogi State Governorship Election’, the group appealed to the aforementioned offices to intervene in Kogi state APC politics before things go wrong in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
The letter read: “The events since the Kogi State Governorship elections primaries of 14th April, 2023 have been particularly worrisome to Party Stakeholders in Kogi State and also to believers in the tenets of democracy, where loyalty and followership count for Party victory.
“The crudely manipulated ‘selection’ process of 14th April, 2023 could only be described for several reasons as outright oppression and suppression of party faithfuls will and power to vote from amongst aspirants a credible candidate that would reflect the hope and aspirations of the great People of Kogi State contrary to the nepotism that was demonstrated at the selection process of 14th April, 2023.
“This has only left party faithfuls thinking if this interpretation, execution and abuse of party processes, in the manner described, is now the new order in our evolution as the guiding light of modern day democracy.
“We have all the facts and figures, as stated below, to illustrate how the numbers by zonal voting size and pattern, party loyalty and support base should determine a fair representation for all interest groups and nationalities in Kogi State.
“Its important to note that: Kogi East contributed 45 per cent of total votes delivered to APC presidential election, Kogi West contributed 32 per cent of total votes delivered to APC presidential election, and Kogi Central contributed 23 per cent of the total votes delivered to APC presidential election.
“Kogi East National Assembly – 100 per cent, Kogi West National Assembly – 50 per cent, Kogi Central National Assembly – 75 per cent.
“Kogi State APC gubernatorial primary result and status (14th April, 2023), as announced by the APC electoral committee chaired by His Excellency, Governor Bello Matawalle, prayers:
Looking into the affairs of the just-concluded primaries, our great party can be unseated if all legal and moral concerns are not corrected and adjusted accordingly before the November 2023 governorship elections.
“The grief of the people of Kogi East and Kogi West has been outwardly pronounced since the last primaries of 14th April 2023. This move is currently impacting negatively the APC support base thereby eroding our party’s electoral chances in the upcoming November polls.
“The Kogi East and Kogi West Senatorial Districts have been completely thrown out of ANY consideration in the State representation and governance affairs to Kogi Central that could ONLY manage 23 per cent contribution to the total electoral votes at the just-concluded General Elections.
“Kogi East and Kogi West should be retirned back on the ticket of the APC of victory at the November 2023 elections polls must be guaranteed.
“To ensure Peace, Equity & Justice in Kogi State, It is time to shift Kogi State Governorship seat to Kogi East and subsequently to Kogi West since Kogi Central/Gov Yahaya Bello is about concluding the 8 years 2015 mandate of Late Prince Abubakar Audu/Hon. Abiodun Faleke.
“With all these facts and figures, we expect Governor Yahaya Bello who has enjoyed the support of the Kogi East and Kogi West Senatorial Districts with the benefit of Late Prince Abubakar Audu/ Honourable Chief Abiodun Faleke mandate 2015 to come to reason and be magnanimous for the sake of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) election victory at the November 2023 Governorship Polls and the unity of the people of Kogi State.
“As loyal and firm supporters of our Great Party, the All Progressive Congress, His Excellences, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the all Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulahi Adamu, we believe that all the facts and figures here presented will bring to bear a resolution that would ensure all anomalies are corrected and our party is united for victory.
“APC votes would be balkanised. APC faithfuls in Kogi West and Kogi East would now have their votes divided with the emergence of the strong candidates in ADC and SDP. Disgruntled APC faithfuls from Kogi West and East coupled with the huge PDP followership in Kogi Central would help coast the PDP victory. We need no soothsayer to tell us tomorrow would come.
“If we choose to look away and not address this issue with all the illustrated facts and figures, then we would have the People Democratic Party dancing ’Buga’ all the way into Lugard House at the forthcoming 11th November,2023 Governorship election.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
“APC IN KOGI STATE IS ABOUT TO FALL…THE EARLIER WE ACT IN THE INTEREST OF ALL, THE BETTER.
Long live Kogi State! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!”

