Honourable Aminu Nda Onu, a frontline aspirant for the Kogi State governorship in the 2027 general elections said Independence Day is not just a time to celebrate; it is a time to reflect, to challenge failures, and to renew the commitment to build a better future.
“We cannot keep marking time while others are making progress,” he said.
“Independence must mean something more than speeches and ceremonies. For Kogi, it must mean the end of excuses and the beginning of transformation.”
He made this statement while addressing a cross-section of Kogi youths, community leaders, civil society organisations, and traditional rulers during a town hall meeting held in Abuja to commemorate the national holiday. His tone was serious, his message bold, and his challenge to the status quo unmistakable.
Speaking passionately about the state of affairs in Kogi, Honourable Nda Onu criticised successive administrations for failing to turn the state’s potential into real development.
Look around our communities. Our roads are broken. Our hospitals are empty shells. Our schools are overcrowded and underfunded. Our young people are jobless, hopeless, and restless. Is this what our heroes fought for in 1960?”
“We boast of being the Confluence State. We say we are the gateway between the North and South. Yet, we are not a reference point for anything progressive in Nigeria. This is not just a leadership failure, it is a betrayal of the people.” he said .
Hon. Onu’s message was not just about pointing out problems, he also presented his vision for a new Kogi, a state that works for everyone, not just a few.
According to him, what Kogi needs is not another politician, but a servant-leader who understands the pain of the people and has the courage to bring real solutions.
He outlined five core areas his administration will focus on if elected in 2027:
Inclusive Governance – A government that listens, consults, and includes all ethnic groups, women, youth, and the grassroots in decision-making.
Youth and Women Empowerment – Skills training, job creation, access to startup capital, and inclusive policies to ensure active participation in the economy.
Rural Development – Massive investment in rural infrastructure—roads, water, electricity, and markets—so no community is left behind.
Education and Health Reform – Quality education and accessible healthcare for all, with a special focus on rebuilding schools and equipping primary health centres.
Agriculture and Solid Minerals Industrialization – Turning Kogi’s rich land and mineral resources into wealth through processing industries, storage facilities, and public-private partnerships.
“Kogi has the land, the minerals, the people, and the brains. What we lack is the political will to use them for development. That’s what I’m bringing to the table,” he said.
According to Hon. Nda Onu, the real meaning of independence is not in speeches or flags, but in the quality of life of the people.
He stated clearly that Nigerians, especially Kogites, are tired of empty promises and recycled failures.
“We cannot claim to be free when our people still drink from the same river as animals. We cannot claim independence when mothers still die in childbirth due to lack of basic care. We cannot celebrate freedom when our children study under leaking roofs,” he lamented .
He challenged current and past leaders to take responsibility for the current state of affairs and urged the people of Kogi to open their eyes in the coming elections.
“If leadership has failed, it is because we allowed it. If things must change, then we the people must change the kind of leaders we choose.”
A major part of his speech was directed at the youth population of Kogi, who form the majority of voters. He called on them to rise beyond social media outrage and become active participants in the political and development process.
“You cannot stay silent and then complain about bad leadership. You have the numbers, the energy, and the intelligence. Use your PVC. Use your voice. This is your time,” he declared.
He further promised that young people will not be used and dumped under his leadership. Rather, they will be at the centre of governance appointed to key roles and trusted with responsibilities that build their Future.
“ Though the 2027 elections may seem far off, Hon. Onu believes that the journey to a new Kogi begins today. He stated that he is already consulting widely across the three senatorial districts and engaging stakeholders in preparation for a people-focused campaign.
“This is not about one man. It is about one state. I am not coming to occupy an office; I am coming to build a legacy. The days of mediocrity must end.”
“Kogi cannot afford another wasted four years. We must make a bold choice in 2027 between progress and stagnation, between vision and politics as usual.” He concluded.
