The entrant of Dr. Farouk Abdullahi into the competition to emerge House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Okene/Ogori-Mangogo, may have hardened the race for the party.
ebirareporters.com weighed the opinions of constituents conversant with the political weather in the state, and the job of producing a candidate for the most popular constituencies in the state is said to have set the party in confusion.
More so, the incumbent member representing the constituency, Tijani Ozigi Muhammed who had been battling to secure his return ticket, against popular aspirants like Tijani Damisa, a former two-term member, and Salau Sanni Ogembe touted as a strong ally of the Governor.
With Dr. Farouk Abdullahi, a seasoned administrator and grassroot politician whose family have etched their name and legacy in the hearts of the constituents, the political calculations have become more difficult.
Sources close to Lugard House noted the administration is aware Dr. Farouk comes with a confidence in clinching the ticket if the party agrees to a level-playing field for all aspirants to test their wits; and otherwise could spell trouble.
How the party will play it safe being Governor Ododo’s first major election to oversee with a new set of executives, is a litmus test.
“By all indications now, the only person whose ticket under the APC is sure, is Governor Yahaya Bello for Senate. For others, anything can happen because Ododo is being careful not to make strong political enemies against his own time.
“Before now, the only strong contenders for Okene/Ogori-Mangogo ticket were Tijani and Ogembe. That was already causing confusion. Now that Dr. Farouk whose family command a lot of followership and love across Ebiraland, nobody knows how the lobbying will play out. Truth is, the delegates are tired of the era of anointed candidates with little to no qualifications.
“Under the APC, Dr. Farouk is definitely the most qualified, experienced and networked enough for the office. I doubt the party will risk losing such asset to an opposition ticket,” the source noted.
Investigating the reference made to the family of Dr. Farouk further strengthens the political game at play. He is the brother of the Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi whose name rings several bells across Kogi State; from altruism, to street credibility and his political network that cannot be underestimated.
Following the inauguration of the National Working Committee of the APC on Thursday, all fingers are crossed as stakeholders await the direction of the party on price of nomination forms and dates of primary election.
