The Igala Vanguard, a sociopolitical group in Kogi State has expressed disappointment in the composition of the All Progressives Congress Presidential campaign council in Kogi State, describing it as “pure Ebira affairs.”
The group in a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Engr. Lawrence Akpa, the Igala said the other zones in the state have been sidelined in the presidential campaign council.
Akpa stated that appointments into the campaign council is in breach of democratic decorum.
“Recall that the Kogi State chapter of APC had on Thursday, September 29, 2022, announced Asiwaju Bola Tinibu’s presidential campaign council with the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Pharm Abdulkareem Jamiyu Asuku, as Campaign Director General. Governor Yahaya Bello was named State Coordinator while his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja will serve as Deputy Coordinator.
“Meanwhile, Governor Bello has been appointed BAT/Shettima National Youth Coordinator. Also the Governor Bello Youth Network is headed by another Ebira man, Hadi Amteuo.
“The state chairman of APC is an Ebira man. Governor Bello is an Ebira man. The campaign coordinator is an Ebira man. GYB Network for Asiwaju, Hadi Amteuo is also an Ebira man.
“All we can see here is Ebira family forum,” statement said.
Akpa stated that the party that condemned tribalism, favoritism, and preaches tolerance on national television and other media spaces is now guilty of what it condemned.
“This is unacceptable and also a slap to Kogi East. What happened on Thursday in Lokoja is a wake-up call to all Igala sons and daughters that the speculation about Governor Yahaya Bello and Ebira Agenda is nothing but true.
“Kogi State governorship seat is every tribe’s inheritance, hence, the process should always be open for everyone to come and contest, instead of suppressing a section just because you are in power.
“If you look at the whole appointments, you will see that it is tilted towards the Bello’s allies, and the message this is sending out is that Ebira would provide the next governor come 2023 and it does not reflect the true character of democracy.”
