Elders and stakeholders under the aegis of Equity and Justice, Adavi-Okehi Elders Council have expressed their call for fairness, equity and political justice in the forthcoming senatorial election in Kogi Central.
The elders council said attempt to impose any senatorial candidate from Okene Local Government Area, will be met with protest votes.
In a statement on Monday, the Leader of the council, Pa Steven Bello Onukaba urged political parties, especially THE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to heed the call for fairness ahead of the primary elections.
“History reminds us of a time when leadership was guided by fairness and strategic balance. During the era of great leaders like the late Usman Abatemi and Senator A.T. Ahmed of blessed memory, political power was deliberately shared. The deputy governorship seat was zoned to Okehi LGA, producing respected figures like His Excellency, Phillip Salau, while Okene retained the senatorial position. That was politics with conscience. That was leadership with vision.
“Today, that balance has been abandoned. A small circle of self-acclaimed leaders has continued to recycle power among themselves for over a decade. For more than 12 years, key political offices and strategic government positions have remained concentrated within the same bloc, leaving other local governments politically starved and structurally excluded.
“The evidence is visible, Okene alone:
Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice: Barr. Muzi Yinus Abdullahi
Commissioner for Health: Dr. Adams Abdulaziz
Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development: Engr. Mohammed Abdulmutalib
Chief of Staff: Ali Bello
Beyond these, the dominance extends deeply into critical state institutions:
Accountant General: Dr. Habibat Oyiza Tijjani Onumoko
DG, Government House Administration: Dr. Umaru Oricha Shuaibu
SUBEB Chairman: Mallam Abdulrazaq Muhammad Yusuf
KGSSEB Chairman: Dr. Habiba Suleiman
Chairman, Kogi State Hajj Commission: HRH Ohi of Okengwe
APC State Chairman (2026): Engr. Aliyu Momoh Ezzu
Key agencies are not left out:
DG, RARA: Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami
MD, KOGROMA: Engr. Yunusa Aminu Alhassan
MD, KOTRAMA: Aminu Abdulrazak
MD, RUWASSA: Ahovi Salami Ibrahim
MD, ADP: Bello Salim Ogirima George
Executive Secretary, Office for Disability: Yakubu Nasir Abdulhakeem
Executive Director, Primary Health Care Development Agency: Dr. Musa Omeiza Muazu
According to the council, the pattern of appointments raises questions of balance and fairness, calling for corrections.
“The people of Kogi Central are not political slaves. They are stakeholders in the democratic process and deserve equal representation. Governance must not be reduced to a monopoly of a single local government or sub-clan.
“If this imbalance continues, the consequences will be unavoidable. The protest vote already building across Kogi Central will speak louder than words at the ballot box,” he said.
1 comment
As long as you allow a thug and a nobody like Yahaya Bello to lead you, there won’t be progress. Ebira people were very strong and dignified people. Look at what Bello has turned them into. The land of strong character has become meek. What a shame