Kogi forum strategises ahead of 2016 governorship election

The Kogi central and Kogi west forum for equity and justice held a meeting in the federal capital territory on Monday to plan ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state.

The meeting was attended by over 100 representatives of the 12 local government areas of the two senatorial districts.

The forum alleged that since Kogi was created in 1991, successive governments have mismanaged the state and explored measures geared towards bringing about change.

“We reviewed the current social, economic and political situation in the state since its creation 24 years ago and came to the painful conclusion that Kogi state has not lived up to the expectation of its founding fathers,” read a statement issued at the end of the meeting.

“It has been starved of economic and political development as a result of unconscionable level of marginalisation and oppression of the people of central and western senatorial districts.

“Available statistics clearly show that while Kogi central and west senatorial districts account for 55 percent of the population and about 85 percent of the internally generated revenue, political and public service appointments and recruitments as well as resources allocation have been monopolized by the eastern senatorial district to the extent of at least 80 percent with central and western senatorial districts having to share less than 20 percent.”

The forum called for unity among its members and adopted some measures as means of addressing the issues listed above.

“Having come to the conclusion that the present power relations in the state is unjust, unfair, iniquitous and indefensible, the forum resolved as follows: that the current situation must not be allowed to continue; it must change,” the statement read.

“That in order to save the state from imminent collapse, the people of Kogi central and Kogi west senatorial districts have come together as one strong, indivisible political bloc, irrespective of party affiliations, to enthrone good governance, equity, fairness and justice in the state;

“That in order to achieve this objective, Kogi central and Kogi west senatorial districts will field a single candidate that is visionary, competent and dynamic in the upcoming governorship election in the state;

“That the forum appeals to all political parties to take cognisance of this development and reflect such in the selection of candidates for the forthcoming governorship election;

“That any person from either Kogi central or Kogi west who accepts a deputy governorship position from Kogi east is on his or her own and will be treated by the two districts as a traitor;

“That all groups with similar objectives in Kogi central and Kogi west senatorial districts are encouraged to fuse into this forum to actualise our dreams.”