By Abdulmalik Sulaiman
As Kogi governorship election is fast approaching, political activities and preparations are on top gear, signaling the electioneering campaign in the state.
However, the November election is going to be an unusual election in the history of state as Gov. Yahaya Bello eight years administration come to an end.
The major discurse dominating the space in the state is the issue of zoning or power rotation, denying the electorates a robust debates and scrutiny of the contenders.
Again, there was never a time in the state that an election is so important to the citizens and therefore, attracting more interests and attentions like this one, due to the age long primordial factors, sparking a supremacy battle and rivalry among the three major ethnic tribes Igala, Ebira and Yoruba each tribe representing the three Senatorial districts.
Although, there are many candidates currently representing different political parties contesting in the election but indicators so far, have shown that it’s going to be a three horse race representing each senatorial districts in the state.
Kogi West;
This Senatorial district have Seven (7) LGAs and the candidate that will reign supreme here is the cerebral and flamboyant former Senator Dino Melaye PDP. This Senatorial district is dominated by the Yoruba speaking tribe popularly known as Okun but the two most important LGAs; Lokoja and Kogi LG in this district aren’t Yoruba and are not likely going to align with the Okuns in this tribal election.
Kogi Central;
This is where the current governor, GYB hails from. The former Auditor general of LG in the state Alh. Usman Ododo is flying the APC ticket. This district is dominated by Ebira ethnic tribe, consists of five (5 ) LGAs but one LG here isn’t Ebira, they are called Ogori/ Magongo.
Historically, religiously and politically, the people of this LG hardly toe the same path with the Ebiras.
Kogi East;
There are Nine LGAs in this Senatorial district referred to as Kogi east.They are Igala ethic tribe. The former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling APC Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka who recently defected to SDP is tipped to represent the Igala kingdom in the coming election.
In this region only one LG (Bassa) isn’t Igala language.
As I earlier stated the November election isn’t going to be base on the records, capability, competence and experience of the candidates but an ethnic supremacy contest.
