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The Igala people of Kogi East have demanded for an unreserved apology from the All progressive Congress, APC, over the day of sorrow declared by the party on the Igala Nation and Igala dominated Kogi East federal constituency which incidentally makes up 60% of Kogi state population, Igala Vanguard demand in a statement signed by the convener Eng Lawrence Akpa.
The social cultural group said call for unreserved apology became necessary after the party unofficially released the result of the gubernatorial screening exercise in which all the aspirants from the federal constituency were disqualified with the exception of Hassan Bewa, the brother of the national woman leader of APC Hajia Bewa as a special favour done to her the national woman leader in the spirit of esprit the corp. A relatively unknown grace Ekele who was rumoured to be a girl friend of Edward Onoja, chief of staff to the governor of Kogi State, was also cleared. Besides the duo, all the other prominent aspirants, some of whom have served Nigeria at the highest level, were disqualified to embarrass the Igala people all over the country.
The list of disqualified aspirants include;
1. Prof. Mohammed Seidu Onailo
2. Usman Oyibe Jibrin
3. Mustapha Mona Audu
4. Hadiza Iyoma Ibrahim
5. Yahaya Odidi Audu
6. Sani Lulu Abdullahi
7. Gen. Patrick Adenu Akpa (Rtd)
8 Engr. Danlami Umar Mohammed
10. Yakubu Mohammed
11. Mohammed Abubakar Unekwu Audu
12. Rukkaya Ibrahim
The mode and criteria for disqualification was so embarrassing and petty just as the mode of release of the Hope Uzodinma led screening results which is a far cry from what is expected as a report for such a high profile assignment from a central national ruling party.
Vice Admiral Usman Jibril CFR was the immediate past chief of Naval staff who went through several institutions and served the Nigerian Navy and at the peak of his career became chief of Naval staff.
Gen. Patrick Ademu Akpa, served the Nigerian army meritoriously in many capacities among which are commandant of the Nigerian defence academy and defence secretary to the Nigerian army the highest position next to the post of chief of army staff.
Prof. Mohammed Seidu Onalo is the immediate paste director general of National air space research and development Agency.
Engr. Sani Lulu, a former NFA Chairman, Engr. D. U. Mohammed and all the sons and a brother of late prince Abubakar Audu were just swept out along with the the others making mess of all that is left of the Igala pride in terms of the calibre and quality of personalities presented to the all progressive congress as governorship aspirants.
The manner in which the disqualification was done and that it was released via social media in an indecent unprofessional disgraceful way least expected from a mega ruling party such as APC sent angry and embarrassing shock waves all over Igala Nation leaving the people with only one impression that APC is not an Igala party or APC has no place for Igala people.
The manner in which party screening committee cleared governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, even with evidence of double registration and age discrepancy against him left the people with only one believe that APC as a party is bent on imposing Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello on the people a second time the way they did four years ago leaving tales of pain hunger and death all over the land as the best story from Kogi state afterwards.
Based on the none appointment of sons and daughters of Kogi state as minister or strategic appointments in the APC led government and on the weight of the national street embarrassment by way of disqualifying of the best of our best in APC we the people of Kogi East demand for an unreserved apology from the national leadership of APC or we are left with the embarrassment and believe that APC is not an Igala party or Igala people are not needed in APC.
Igala Vanguard also reminded the party leadership of the lat Prince Abubakar Audu and late James Ocholi who both died while actively involved in the party activities and ensure victory for the party in the state in 2015, Eng Lawrence said the party is becoming a nightmare to the region and igala in particular except otherwise.
