a. Preamble
My name is Chief Joseph Erico Ameh, Ph. D, FNIIS, FIIPS, MALPSPN; I was a gubernatorial aspirant under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party. Upon losing out during the party’s primaries, I was appointed the chairman of security committee of the PDP in relation to all party’s campaign and subsequent general elections of November 16, 2019 in Kogi State. Upon my appointment by the party, I swung into action to ensure the security committee delivers on its mandate.
b. Activities/Achievements
I worked assiduously to close out all possible security threats to PDP election campaigns/rallies. I called meetings of heads of security in the state and beyond at my cost. I also funded a security summit where Col. Babanawa was the resource person. Some other retired military officers were also in attendance. The purpose was to use the platform to sensitize the voters about the need to be security conscious, before, during and after the elections. The security summit helped in no small measure to douse voter apathy, as citizens were mostly concerned about their safety during the elections.
It is on record that I equally funded the security survey and risk assessments, executed by security experts at strategic areas in all the three Senatorial Districts of the state, on how PDP can have a successful campaign and ultimately win the gubernatorial elections. The strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of the PDP and the opposition political parties was well conducted by the security committee, all geared towards election victory for the party. As a matter of fact, we came out with two strategies that can win the Kogi elections, knowing full well that it will be highly volatile. These methods are:
• Deterrent: This strategy sought to stop or hinder all negative security plans and agenda of the opposition in order to ensure a level-playing ground, and that PDP’s chances in the elections are not jeopardized in any way.
• Counter Measures: The aim of this measure is to counter all negative plots already hatched against the PDP (like thugery, crack teams and Police threats, etc) especially by the ruling party. We also had subject headings for all that can win the Kogi elections for our party.
The Security Committee, in consultation with some retired army Generals in the state, through its secretary, Commodore Funsho Daniels, submitted a 26 paged white paper on how Kogi elections could be won by the PDP. Unfortunately, the Party’s candidate and his team took the papers and did not revert to the committee again.
I, Dr. Joseph Erico Ameh, met with the State Party Chairman and others, to discuss the inattentiveness of the PDP gubernatorial candidate to issues of security concerns at that critical moment. They also expressed their grievances on the matter. I also met the State Chairman again who took me to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who told us that he was on top of the matter. That was all my Committee and I heard as security committee of PDP for the Kogi general elections up to date. No money was given to us for the purpose of providing security during the election.
c. Olamaboro Agenda
For the purpose of clarity, let me also tell my brothers of Igala extraction and the entire Kogi people that I worked selflessly and openly for the party in the last general elections:
1. I helped fund the entire security committee to my best efforts.
2. I supported the rally in my Local Government Area which was excellently carried out.
3. PDP won in my ward with clear margin. PDP got 1,204 votes, while APC got 717.
I therefore submit that I performed excellently well within the limits of available resources. I stand with Igala and the entire Kogi to protect and defend our territorial integrity. I will continue to fight within my powers to ensure that Igala land and the entire Kogi is liberated.
So help me God.