Onyebuchi Ezigbo writes that the success of the Peoples Democratic Party’s recent campaign at Okene, Kogi State, was a major boost to the re-election bid of Governor Idris Wada
For the residents of the sprawling ancient commercial town of Okene, Saturday, the last day of October would perhaps go down in history as a unique one. That day, the governor of the state, Capt. Idris Wada came to ask the people to give him another mandate to govern them for a second term and to enter a fresh bond of relationship with them.
There was an unusual excitement in the air that Saturday. As early as 8.am, people had started gathering at the campaign ground for the PDP flag-off campaign. Men, women, youths and children – no one wanted to be left out. The ancient city of Okene was decorated with PDP campaign posters and pictures of its candidates, Governor Idris Wada and his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi.
In the end, the people got the message that is very dear to their heart, a firm commitment from the state governor that he would ensure the peoples’ aspiration for power rotation is actualised. An obviously confident Wada told the cheering crowd that he would ensure the next governor of the state after him comes from one of the minority areas of the state.
For this singular promise, it seemed the people have heard what they needed to hear and what needed to re-elect him for a second term. Wada went further to say that his administration has fulfilled most of the promises made to them and is in the process of consolidating on the gains. Buoyed by the applause from the excited crowd, Wada said the party would break yet another ground as the first to actualise the aspiration of the people for power rotation.
“I made a promise on providing critical infrastructure for the people and we have delivered on it. Now, we are promising to ensure power rotation and I am sure that the PDP being a party of the people will not renege on that promise and will after the next four years ensure that the zone produced the next governor of the state. I assure the leadership of the party that they will not regret the ticket they have given to me”.
As if putting the icing on the cake, the Governor of Ondo State and chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko painted the Kogi Governor’s image in glowing terms and described him as a man of integrity and humility, which is the hallmark of quality leadership.
Mimiko, who spoke amidst cheers from the excited crowd, pledged the support of all the PDP governors to Wada in his quest for a second term in office.
Also addressing the people, immediate former governor of the state, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim said the party had always maintained a tradition of winning second terms for its governors, adding that this one will not be different. “Kogi state is for PDP and so shall it remain”.
Another chieftain of the party and former national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali urged the people of Kogi State not to trust someone who had stolen state funds during his stay in office but vote for Wada who had exhibited honesty in the management of state resources.
Speaking on behalf of the PDP national campaign team, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu, urged the people of Kogi not to make the mistake of entrusting their destiny in the hands of the APC, which has shown that they cannot be trusted with power.
“First, the governor is very humble person and humility is a very positive virtue in politics. Wada is somebody, who is connected with his people and in spite of his attainment of power, has remained a grassroots man. Power belongs to the people, so I believe that attribute is a plus for him. The governor has also recorded some modest achievements which he can build upon if given the chance again.
“Of course, PDP has been on ground and Kogi is traditionally a PDP state. About 80 per cent of the state assembly is made up of PDP and it is those who voted for the assembly men that will be available to vote for the PDP as well. You also know that even in his senatorial district where the PDP was robbed, we have recovered one of the seats. PDP is on ground in Kogi State and there is no doubt that we are going win the governorship election come November 21.
He asked whether the people have received the N5000 allowance promised them by the APC administration and whether their lives have been impacted positively since the coming to power by the Buhari administration.
The Deputy Senate President admonished the people to make a wise choice between a man, who has proved that he can be trusted with the resources of the state without misusing it and someone who has a corruption allegation hanging on his neck.
“The APC candidate has no respect for the youths, no respect for women. He is arrogant and did not even show due regard for revered traditional rulers while he was in office”.
Acting National Chairman of PDP, Chief Uche Secondus while presenting Wada to his people urged them to vote massively for the party in the forthcoming governorship election so that there will be continuity of governance.
The rally which attracted many PDP leaders including, former governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswan, Gombe Governor, Ibrahim Dankwanbo, Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and all the members of the National Working Committee, no doubt boosted the chances of Wada to possibly clinch the votes from an area which political pundits believe would play the deciding role in the November 21 governorship poll.
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