From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Okun Frontline Leaders, a socio-political group in Kogi West Senatorial District, Kogi State, have urged delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prioritise competence, experience, and accessibility over zoning in the forthcoming senatorial primary election.
The group made the call in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Johnson Eseyin Ojo, and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday. It insisted that the district deserves effective representation at the National Assembly.
According to the group, the Okun people are known for their intellectual depth, administrative ability, and political awareness, adding that such qualities should guide the choice of the next senator representing Kogi West.
The statement argued that zoning has never been the basis for electing senators in the district, noting that aspirants from the three federal constituencies have always contested freely, with the most acceptable candidate emerging victorious.
The group recalled a political meeting held in 2006 at the residence of the late Dr. Stephen Olorunfemi, regarded at the time as a political leader in the district, where zoning was discussed but rejected by leaders from the Yagba axis who insisted on open competition among aspirants.
Okun Frontline Leaders questioned the renewed agitation for zoning, pointing out that Yagba Federal Constituency alone has produced three senators in the past, namely Chief Justus Olu, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, and the incumbent Senator Sunday Karimi.
The group maintained that zoning should not be used as a criterion for electing the next senator and warned the APC against supporting candidates who may not be loyal to the party or accessible to constituents.
The statement further alleged that one of the leading aspirants was being sponsored by a wealthy individual allegedly working against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to the group, the sponsor is allegedly positioning the aspirant within the APC to destabilise the party in Kogi State ahead of future elections.
The group described the unnamed aspirant as financially unstable and accused him of moving around government circles under the guise of party loyalty while allegedly planning to create internal crisis within the APC.
It added that the aspirant lacked the vision and ideas needed to advance the development of Kogi West Senatorial District.
While commending Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and former Governor Yahaya Bello, whom it described as pillars of the APC in Kogi State, the group urged them to support only aspirants who possess competence, integrity, and loyalty to the party.
“We call on delegates to vote for a man of impeccable integrity, foresight, boldness, and experience, someone who can truly serve as the voice of the people. Merit and virtue should not be sacrificed on the altar of zoning,” the statement added.
