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From the foregoing in the political evolution and development in Kogi state,it is no longer a rumour that the ambition of Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim to aspire to govern Kogi state has become clearer by the day,from his expression of interest,to mobilisation for the 2019 general elections for PDP,and his state wide tour of the 21 area councils,crowned by the collection of nomination and intent form to contest for Kogi Governorship primaries due for early September, that will lead to November 16 gubernatorial election
Build up to the collection of nomination form and soon after the state wide tour to meet with party leaders,stakeholders,supporters and eligible delegates,the coarse became more clearer for Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, that the general impression that a political dynasty and attempt to foster third term through the back door,by former Governor Ibrahim Idris, his father was not the true picture afterall,but the desire of the aspirant who coincidentally is the son of a former governor,to contribute his own quota to the development of the state
Instead,the PDP Supporters and gladiators saw a young,energetic,soft spoken and eloquent person that had ressolved to take kogi state from the current political inanities occassioned by misgovernance
So meek ,accessible,attentive to colours of suggestion that will promote the installation of good governance in November election,the popular aspirant to the office of the governor was heralded by who is who in Kogi politics both from the PDP and the ruling party,to ensure the replication of people oriented adminstration of Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim reminiscent of what kogi state witnessed in the last nine years of his father’s adminstration
Abubakar Ibrahim not perturbed by the stress of movement from one local government to the other,took his time to address the delegates,party loyalists and supporters in large numbers on the pertinent issue of rescuing Kogi state, from the leadership of movement without motion that took him a whole week
To drive home his points and detonate the stigma of an underdog to political dynasty,Abubakar from his interaction,impression and expression,PDP supporters became convinced that, although he is an offshoot of the former Kogi governor,coming far away from a niche carved in the political system that vindicated him as a singular idea, mooted to count his blessing among political gladiators of Kogi,by throwing in the ring
In one of his outings,he asserted without equivocation and deciet
“I am not banking on my father’s glory to fly PDP flag in the upcoming Kogi November governorship race”.
“I and my team work hard days and night talking to delegates to enable me come out victorious in the next Kogi governorship elections comes November 16, in sha Allah”.
“I humble myself before you all to join me in the journey to reclaim the lost glory of our dear State”
This channel of communication brokered by the familarisation tour of all the local government in the state,detonate the earlier impression and mindset been propagated by Political gimmicks,that voting Abubakar Ibrahim will be a repeat of former Governor Ibrahim Idris reign in the leadership of the state
The West,Central and East demonstrated alot of conviction in his expression and was encouraged into redoubling the support to replace Kogi governor,Alhaji Yahaya Bello,not with only his contemporary,but versed in exposure and administrative disposition from PDP
Soon after the state wide tour,the image of the Guber aspirant soured to an appreciable level, that was climaxed at a ceremony to advance the seriousness of his ambition by approaching the party National sectariat, to obtain the intent form and nomination to vie for the September governorship primaries, due for Kogi state to elect the candidate for the November election
The one day event took two days as who’s who in Kogi politics bombarded the Wadata plaza,an indication that a candidate is already in place to represent the party in the state
It was confirmed that in the history of Nigeria politics since 1999,the large turn out of supporters during the program of purchase of nomination form and intent to contest,to the National office,may not be broken in a long time to come
Some party leaders unofficially confirmed that during the 16 years reign of PDP in Nigeria,it was only Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, that attracted such crowd during the reign of the party at federal level,but in fairness to Abubakar Ibrahim,he stands out since the ascension of power by the APC led government in Nigeria and Kogi,even as an opposition party
Many loyalists,stakeholders and supporters of PDP troupes out in large numbers, to show cause and support to the aspiration of the young, energetic and promising leader due to assume office in Kogi, after November election
People from all walks of life,trouped out in large numbers to support the people’s choice in Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim candidature in the forthcoming contest,signalling the desire of other dozen ambitious ones, to queea behind to ensure victory for the PDP and Kogi state
It is on record, the nature of crowd and personalities that turned up without inducement, had portrayed easy ride to victory to Lugard house, under the tutelage and candidature of Alhaji Abubakar Idris
To crown it up, the almighty state congress expected to make or mar the chances of the party has come and gone,with no Victor and no vanquish,except more chances of truce to all the party’s helms men,described earlier as one family, by the frotline candidate,Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Idris
Before then,there was a public declaration by all the aspirants to accept the out come of both the congress and primaries in a free,fair and credible process for the progress and betterment of our dear state of Kogi
Abubakar Ibrahim prowess, is the already assured delegates position across the 21 local government areas, to support the young lad and maturity in his candidature, with a promise to wholeheartedly extend olive branch in the November election
With seamless transition of party
structure under his ambition,no doubt his emergence in September and November election,will open another political chapter in kogi state
A vote for Abubakar Ibrahim of PDP, is for the total emancipation of the entire fabrics of Kogi state
Ajagwu Ogbu Writes From Lokoja
