Re: Still on Kogi election.

Except for writers like Idowu Akinlotun, an indigene of Kogi State who lives in the diaspora, Kogi people and non Kogites are not uncertain as to who they would vote for in the forth coming Kogi State Governorship election slated for November.

I'm very aware that Idowu who hails from Yagba West LGA of Kogi State last visited home more than ten years ago. Little wonder he has become so unfamiliar with developments at home to the level that his assessment of political events has become unreliable. Certainly, he is not in a best position to know, let alone discuss how effective Capt Idris Wada is as a Governor. His write up, back page Nation Newspaper of Sunday,27, 2015, further confirms that he remains an unrepentant apologist of Prince Audu, making failed efforts to repair the damage of a candidate that is unsale able.

Idowu, though a pen name, failed to explain what he meant by an effective governor. Among other legacy projects, the administration of Capt. Wada has constructed 58 roads across the state. As at today, Kogi State Government is up to date in the payment of salaries to its workers. Today the faculty of Medicine has taken off at the Kogi State University while the University Teaching Hospital, of the same institution is nearing completion. Mention must be made of the twelve storey Kogi House, Abuja, the Remodeling of Kogi Hotels, completion of all inherited projects that ordinarily would have been left abandoned with tax payers money gone the drain. If all these do not present Wada as an effective governor, then Idowu should hasten to explain his meaning. Let Idowu be told that most reactions to his last week's highly jaundiced write up were negative and attracted condemnation, even from his kinsmen in Yagba federal Constituency where he hails from. Even from afar, the writer attested to the good qualities of Capt Wada. He admitted even if reluctantly that Wada is civil and humble as against the abrasive and impatient qualities of Prince Audu which he added does not make Kogi People feel good.
The pleasant qualities of Capt Wada, coupled with his ability amidst paucity of resources as experienced nation wide to steer the ship of state to the next level, place him way ahead of Audu's recalcitrance. A vote for Capt Wada is not only for consolidation, it would no doubt enable the governor complete all the on going legacy projects scattered across the state.

The greatest threat to Prince Audu's aspiration still remains the Okun Yoruba people whom he insulted alongside their chiefs when he last reigned. As if he had not forgiven them, he thwarted their Senatorial arrangement and made matters worse with his choice of A running mate. The little presence of Audu according to Idowu, a people he deceived when the issue of locating the state university came up cannot be compared with the efforts of the PDP administration in the state since 2003. I find it insulting for Idowu to say the Okun people as enlightened and politically conscious as they are known to be will be confused on a choice of candidate when election comes in November.

While I make bold to say Capt Wada remains a rallying point for power rotation, because he can be trusted, and a man whose words are his bonds, Prince Audu's statement when he promised to locate the state University in Kabba, only to renege is a food for thought that he is of no value to Okun people on the issue of power rotation.

The Okun people are not worried about the choice imposed on them from Lagos, the action once again clearly points to the person of Prince Audu who didn't remember the roles the Okun sons and daughters at home played in the formation of the party in the state, same way he allowed his political ambition made him to pitch the people of Central Senatorial District against one another. He no doubt picked the ticket against all odds, but his ambition was one that was dead on arrival.

President Mohammadu Buhari won his election on the strength of integrity. This cannot be said of Prince Audu, who since 2013 has stalled efforts to try him. While the President may not be a law court according to the writer, the alleged recent acceptance at a press conference by the State Chairman of APC , Hadi Ametuo, promising the return of the money and the testimony of an Abuja High Court by Uche Agagara about the looted N11billion are pointers to the fact that Mr President may be sending wrong signals about his anti corruption war.

The November Governorship election is already a decided matter if you live in the state. The electorates having tested both candidates, with Prince Audu's uncouth qualities, attitude that has not changed against a man whose performance is humility and performance driven, the verdict in the West is overwhelming, Central a no go area while the East remains Wada's stronghold.

If winning election is made possible by writers like Idowu, I am amazed at his conclusion, calling on the APC and Audu to go out and reassure the electorates of his new found delicate manners, of his readiness to work and to respect the people's rights knowing fully well that Kogi and Nigeria has passed the 1992 and 1999 era. If Prince Audu has changed why this advise from an editorial staff who has turned himself to a campaign director.

The APC candidate we know, has not changed and will not change. The leopard does not change its skin. Recently, he chased away journalists from his house for daring to eat on his dining table. Few days ago when he traveled to meet Mr President in France, to solicit for an undeserved support, even though the President refused him audience, in his usual manner, he left several supporters waiting at the airport and at the foot of Jamata bridge to welcome him. Two elderly people who took part in the routine exercise collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital. A day after Sallah, he walked out the APC Chairman of Ofu LGA and his eleven Ward Chairmen for voting for Yahaya Bello, the second runner up in the just concluded APC Governorship primaries.

Prince Audu is not suited to govern in a democracy, as he can't resist provocation when people air their opinion. From the foregoing, the most preferred option, in terms of driving the state to the desired place of development and in human relations is Capt Wada.