Kogi Central, West Forum Strategize For 2016 Governorship Polls

The Kogi Central and West Senatorial Districts have formed a formidable alliance with a view to clinching the governorship position of the state in the next year’s governorship election.
The two Senatorial Districts met yesterday in Abuja, under the umbrella of Kogi Central And West Peace Forum, for Equity and Justice.
A communiqué issued and signed by the chairman of the media and publicity for the group, Dr. Tom Adaba, after the meeting, said that it was attended by over 100 people from the two senatorial districts, including representatives of groups with similar objectives. The meeting, the communiqué said, was in furtherance of the Forum’s pursuit of good governance, equity and justice in the state.
The meeting reiterated its commitment to fielding a single candidate as well as a deputy in the forthcoming governorship election in the state even as it advised all major political parties to respect the feelings and reflect the interest of the two senatorial zones in the choice of their gubernatorial candidates if they are serious about winning this year’s election.
The meeting, which was jointly chaired by General J. O. S. Oshanupin (Rtd), Professor Yusuf Aliyu and Alhaji Idris Yusuf Tawari, did not foreclose the possibility of using a third platform to realize its objective if the two major political parties make the mistake of not fielding its consensus candidate in the election.
The meeting was also attended by General Chris Ali, former Chief Army Staff, Chief Clarence Olafemi, former acting governor of the state, Chief Bayo Ojo, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Abdulrahaman Adeiza, Professor Olu Akerejola, Ambassador S. A. Lawal, Ambassador P. B. Fadumiyo,Professor Angela Okatahi, Chief J. O. Omuya, Professor I. Abdulsalam.
Others are Dr..Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba, Chief Femi Ajisafe, Tunde Ipinmisho, Prince Emmanuel Omadivi, Sufyanu Abdulmalik, Dr. David Atte, Chief J.O. Yusuf, Alhaji Sheidu Ozigis, Retired DIG of Police Abdul raheem Yusuf, Prof. Adams Abere El-Okene, Dr. Tunde Arosanyin, Femi Ojo Melefa, Chief Dan Kunle, Suleiman Baba Ali, Tanko Musa, Ibrahim Usman, Idris Miyali, Hon. Matthew Keyi, Engr Sam Uhuotu, Engr. Funso Ako, Ahmed Garba, Barrister (Mrs) J. Y.Ajanah, Mohammed Aliyu, Brig-Gen. Yusuf Abubakar (Rtd), Hussain Obadaki, Prince Rotimi Obadofin, Yahaya Ade Ismail, Lamidi Itopa, M. J. Alabi, Isa Sani Omolori, Ahmed Kokori Abdul, Dahiru Musa Andullahi, Chief S. K. Adedoyin, Toyin Akanle, Henry Ojuola, A. G. Usman, Shaban Shaibu, Abdulmumuni Isa, and Ezekiel Kaura.
There were also Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, Former Deputy Governor Phillips Salawu, Alhaji Ishaq Ajibola, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar, Dr Martin Makoju, Senator Salihu Ohize, Dr Abdulrahman Adeiza, Mr Jimmy Olumudi, Prof M. Ajibero and Col Olu Oloruntoba (Rtd) all of who sent apologies.

Other parts of the communiqués goes thus:

The Forum promised to search widely and transparently for a governorship candidate as well as a deputy that will win the next election and change the fortunes of the much abused and traumatized state.
The Forum vowed to halt the marginalization of the two senatorial districts, end the rot in the state and enthrone good governance and equity which have so far eluded the resources-rich state. Rather than constantly bemoaning their plight, participants resolved to come together, strategize and take their destinies in their hands. Members pledged to pool their resources together to save the state from chronic under-development and shameful stagnation.
The Forum resolved to remain focused, determined, honest and transparent in its dealings. It plans to mobilize all the people and associations in the two senatorial districts towards achieving the Forum’s aspirations.
The meeting agreed to put in the public domain statistics showing the incalculable inequity and mindless marginalization in Kogi State so that the whole world will know that the struggle for equity and good governance is truly justified and long overdue.
The Forum agreed to hold its next meetings in Lokoja, Kabba and Okene and to mobilize the people of the two senatorial districts to end the present internal colonialism in the state.
Four Standing Committees – Finance, Strategy, Media and Publicity, Contact and Mobilization and Search/Screening – were constituted with terms of reference. The committees are to start work immediately.