Kogi at 30: Okun group demands 2023 governorship ticket for zone

Okun Development Association (ODA) has demanded that Kogi west senatorial district produce the next governor of the state.

In a statement on Thursday by Femi Mokikan, it’s president, the association congratulated Yahaya Bello, governor of the Kogi state, on the state’s 30th anniversary, but said the Okun people are the most marginalised group in the state.

Mokikan said there is a paradigm shift in Bello’s administration as he introduced a policy known as ‘EBIGO agenda’, meaning Ebira, Igala and Okun agenda to promote unity and oneness in Kogi.

“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,” the statement reads.

The association said Okun is the only area in a state without a university and appealed to the state government to 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,” it added.

On the 2023 governorship election, the association said for the purpose of equity, fairness and justice, the next governor of the state should come from Kogi west.

“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 statement said.

The association called on the people of Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa/Amuro, Yagba east and west LGA as well as Oworo land to come out and participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise. 

“Finally, we congratulate the governor on the 30th anniversary of the state and our prayer is that God grant him the wisdom and good health to do more for the state,” it said.