* Appeals Passionately to President Mohammadu Buhari, Gov. Yahaya Bello to consider the area for fairness and equity
The people of Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency of Kogi state have made a passionate appeal to President Mohammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello, to consider the area for a ministerial position in the next dispensation.
The appeal for ministerial position was contained in a press statement signed by Comrade Isiyak .D. Suleiman, and Murtala Mohammed Ogbere, President General, and Secretary Secretary General respectively, National Coalition of Lokoja Koto Youths for Change issued to newsmen in Lokoja today, insisting that the area must be allowed to produce the ministerial position for the state
According to the statement, the group observed that the federal constituency despite its electoral value, having the highest voting strength in the Western Senatorial District of the state, have not tested the ministerial position since the advent of the current democratic experiment.
The Coalition described the federal constituency as an area that has always supported the All Progressive congress, said it has it on record to have overwhelmingly voted for President Mohammadu Buhari and the APC in 2015 and also in the 2019 elections, lamented that the area has never been considered nor nominated for a Ministerial position.
According to the statement, the East, Central and the Okun part of the Western Senatorial district have since 1999 taking turns to produce Ministers of the federation Republic of Nigeria, disclosed that Lokoja Koto is this time insisting that for fairness, equity and justice, be allowed to produce the next minister for Kogi state.
The Coalition listed Hon. Mohammed Adoke from Central, Hon. Eyitayo Lambo, Chief Kola Jamodu, Bar. Bayo Ojo, Chief David Jemibewon from West, and Late Bar. James Ocholi, Dr. Steven Oseni, Arch. Gabriel Aduku, Hon. Humphrey Abbah from the Eastern Senatorial district respectively as those who have occupied ministerial positions from the state.
The coalition also listed the mentioned areas as districts that have also enjoyed Deputy Governorship slots through Chief Patrick Adaba and Chief Philip Salawu From Central, Chief Sam Ola Akande, Yomi Awoniyi from the West and Elder Simon Achuba from the East, said the people of Lokoja Kogi federal constituency have been abandoned even when it is obvious that it contributes handsomely in terms of electoral fortunes, socio economically to the development of the state.
The coalition equally lamented that aside the other districts having been nominated as Secretary to State government’s and appointed to ambassadorial positions and other federal boards, pointed out that the people of Lokoja Kogi federal constituency have been marginalized and neglected since 1999, lamented that in the last sixteen years, the Senate has remained in Ijumu LGA, warned that the area would no longer allow its patience and quietness to be taken for granted and for political foolishness.
The coalition described the people of Lokoja and Kogi federal constituency as having an array of very eminent and qualified, persons to be nominated as ministers, appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to reward the areas loyalty and political consistency in their support for the APC.
While the coalition equally appealed to Gov. Yahaya Bello to cease the present opportunity the clamor by the people of Lokoja and Kogi federal constituency are making to be appointed to the ministerial position, said the governor would not only write his name in gold and on the sands of time by nominating an indigene of Lokoja Kogi federal constituency, it would further enhance the political fortune of the APC ahead the November governorship election expected to hold in the state.
The coalition explained that it has for now resolve to pursue their appeal using diplomacy, lobby and outright appeal, warmed however that it patience and maturity to be their brother’s keeper should not be misconstrued for political foolishness if in the next dispensation it does not get the Ministerial position.
The coalition says it would continue with it peaceful advocacy for the area to be nominated as minister in the next dispensation by Gov. Yahaya Bello, and for approval by President Mohammadu Buhari, however warned that it would not healthy if the area is shortchanged in the next ministerial appointment.
