You can criticise and abuse me, it’s normal. We sometimes have different views about issues of life. There is a saying in Yoruba that “An old man talks, if it doesn’t come to fulfilment in the morning, it will come to fulfilment in the evening”
In recent times, some have even labelled me as an anti-Okun. Well, that is their thoughts. Nobody is more Okun than the other and no one wants an Okun/Kogi West citizen to become Governor than myself. It has always been my fervent prayer to see Kogi West citizen occupy the Lugard House in my lifetime before I return to my creator. But this can only be realised if the due process is followed and align ourselves well with the people of the Central Senatorial District.
Some people have also been beating an early drum of “Kogi West for Governor in 2027” NO! Now is not time for us to start playing a music that we will not be able to dance to it’s tune.
My passionate appeal is for us to support His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the second term. Let’s not be deceived because if we allow ourselves to be used, it will be like the Israelites journey of 40 Days that became 40 Years. Quote me on this…“it will be 10 steps backward” if we try any other thing apart from the synergy that is existing between the Central and Western Senatorial Districts which was created by Former Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello. If we do otherwise, the Okun Nation will become the greatest loser in the political permutation in Kogi State because Lokoja/Koton-Karfe will be with the Central politically. The Okun don’t have the numerical strength to become the Governor.
If we don’t play the game of maturity, support Ododo for his eight years for smooth shifting of batten to Kogi West, then we are deceiving ourselves ahead of 2027. One thing is sure…Kogi Central will not add one day to their eight years. They are prepared to relinguish power to Kogi West because of the previous supports we have given to them. Of course, the Ebiras are people that are honourable in their behaviour, they are trustworthy. An example of this was in 2011 when Ibro wanted to give the Governorship Seat to the Okuns and the Central said they will not field any Candidate and will support whoever the Okuns present they will support the person. They kept to their words and didn’t field any Candidate but the Okuns on the other hand, a seat we knew is meant for just one person, we had 20 aspirants and no one was ready to step down for the other and we eventually lost the golden opportunity then. That is why I am saying that the Ebiras are to be trusted. They are reasonable, responsible and very matured politically.
Let us talk to ourselves at this early stage. We need to stand against anything that will crack the walls we’ve built with the people of Kogi Central ahead of 2027 because allowing such will boomerang and we will have ourselves to blame (especially the Okun people). As we have supported the Ebiras right from Yahaya Bello’s administration, let us sustain such because they are looking for an opportunity to payback for the support they got from the Okuns but the Okuns people should not be in a hurry. Let’s support Ododo for the second term and we will be sure of a smooth ride in 2031. Again I say… “I am an Okun man and I want an Okun man to become the Governor of Kogi State before I die”. But we need to have our calculations rightly.
Whoever wants to use any other method apart from the synergy that have been existing between us right from the Yahaya Bello period till now will end in nothing and it will be very catastrophic for the Okuns. He who has ears should please listen to this advice of mine that “the synergy between us and the Central should not be broken”
We should also realise that the Eastern people believe they are born to rule because they believe in their numerical strength. They also have believe and trust in themselves. Let us stop deceiving ourselves and collectively support Ododo’s second term in Office. 4+4 should be sacrosanct, it should not be joked with. Let us jettison the of becoming Governor in 2027 because it will not work. We have everything to lose if we do otherwise in 2027. Therefore, I appeal to us all, let us rally behind His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and ensure his re-election comes 2027 because the earlier we realise this, the better for us.
SIGNED:
Chief Richard Asaje
Founder/Nat’l Coordinator,
Like Minds Alliance Pressure Group
28th June; 2026
