Kogi East APC Youth Distance Self From Tribal Politics, Affirm Support For Gov. Ododo, His Successor, Yahaya Bello
A group under the aegis of Kogi East Youth APC, from the Eastern Senatorial District of Kogi State has distanced itself from what it described as “tribal politics”.
Rising from its press conference on Monday, the group also expressed its unalloyed support for the government of Governor Usman Ododo, as well as his successor, Yahaya Bello who has been having a running battle with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC).
The group also knocked some politicians in the region for leaving behind what it described as tribal bigotry as succession plans for the youth, rather than developmental and progressive ones.
The Full Text of the Press Statement
PRESS RELEASE BY KOGI EAST YOUTHS APC MOVEMENT, 21ST MAY, 2024
Protocols
We are the Kogi East APC Youths Movement, drawn from the 9 Local Government Areas of the Eastern Senatorial District, majorly of the Igala and Bassa Ethnic extraction.
Today, we address a political menace which have been left as a legacy for the youths in the region by politicians who only left ethnic tribalism and bigotry as succession plan for the youths instead of development and progressive leadership, ensconced in unity.
First, as APC Youths with the fundamental rights of Association and Political participation, we would like to reaffirm our support for the All Progressives Congress, APC, as our political party. We would also like to reconfirm our unalloyed loyalty to the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ododo, who rode on the party as a political vehicle to ascend the position of constituted authority to lead the state.
Our reasons for aligning with the incumbent stems from a careful analysis of how he has carried the baton left by his predecessor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who constituted his cabinet with over 55% of the Youth demography in the state. His successor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has also consolidated on that foundation by appointing Youths in his government. A relevant mention is the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Anyebe and Hon Oladele Niyi, Special Adviser on Youths and Student Affairs, who are relatively younger than their predecessors in office, a signpost of consolidated growth.
This Press Conference is to address those who have continually used ethnic politics as a veil to mask their true intentions of seeking their own political interests under the guise of fighting for our people. For avoidance of doubt, we have thoroughly researched their backgrounds, with the following observations:
1. Politicians are usually united in interests, divided only in ambition. When they align in interests, they conspire against the common man, however, when they differ in interests, they use the common man to conspire against themselves.
2. Those who use ethnic cards for political profits are weak in vision, creative solutions and strong leadership.
3. The same politicians who have been friends, fall out after the stalemate of a negotiated interests, then, resort to misleading our people that they are fighting for them.
4. None of the politicians who claim to fight for their ethnic nationalities have their investments in their domains, most, especially, those from the Igala/Bassa ethnic extraction. Their business concerns are usually domesticated abroad and their wealth used to empower only their family members and cronies.
It is on this foundation, we have decided to speak against the cancer of ethnic politics, regardless of who it favours, be it The Ebiras, The Igalas, The Okuns and other minority ethnic groups in Kogi State.
We denounce in totally the continous quest by professional politicians who deceive the youths by using the veil of ethnic politics to set us against our brothers from the other divides. It is in the letter of contemporary political development that political power is negotiated based on issues, deviod of ethnic sentiments.
Today, we would like to be put on record as Youths who spoke to the issues when it matters that the Igala/Bassa nation are not ethnic bigots as being peddled by some hired political hustlers who are hiding under the guise of activism to pay their rents and maintain their paraphernalia of expensive wives and unsustainable lifestyles. The Igala/Bassa Nation is a progressive nation that accommodates other ethnic groups without the flare of wanting everything to only herself.
Again, We reject political tribalism in all its insidious forms and declare, unequivocally, that Kogi belongs to all its people, irrespective of tribe or creed.
Make no mistake, we are drawing an immutable line in the sand – tribalism has no place in our state. This malignant scourge seeks to tear the very fabric of our society apart with its corrosive, divisive agenda. We denounce its vile forces utterly and call for their complete and utter excision from the body politic of Kogi East.
We stand firm, unshakable in our belief that the progress and prosperity of Kogi East and Kogi state by extension, can only be achieved when we extinguish the flames of tribalism and instead embrace our diversity as a source of strength. United, we shall move mountains. Divided by tribal affiliations, we are doomed to wallow in the abyss of backwardness and strife.
It is with profound conviction that we throw our unwavering support behind the transformative leadership of Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo. His resolute commitment to inclusive governance and rejection of tribal politics resonates powerfully with our core values. We celebrate his bold vision for a Kogi united under the immutable banner of human fraternity, not fractured by tribal fault lines.
In just a few months, Governor Ododo has already demonstrated an indomitable dedication to the wellbeing of all Kogites, irrespective of tribal affiliations. With surgical precision, his policies have transcended these outmoded, regressive tribal boundaries to focus squarely on the greater good of our state and its people as a cohesive whole.
Governor Ododo has furnished each of the 21 local government areas with a fleet of 5 operational vehicles and conscripted 1000 local hunters into service to fortify the state security apparatus.
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Under his resolute leadership, the prompt and complete payment of salaries has become an entrenched practice, effectively eradicating the practice of percentage payments. Both state and local government employees can now breathe a sigh of relief, as they receive their full remuneration.
The peace and tranquility that prevail under his administration are unparalleled, with the state now widely regarded as a safe haven where citizens can carry out their daily activities without fear or threat.
Within his brief tenure thus far, Governor Usman Ododo has authorized contracts valued at N29.9 billion with two construction firms. These agreements encompass civil engineering projects aimed at mitigating erosion at sites in Etahi in Okene local government area, Omigbo in Kabba Bunu LGA, and Olubo-Ojo in Ankpa LGA, spanning the state’s three senatorial districts. What better exemplifies leadership devoid of ethnic bias?
One of the main reasons we strongly support Governor Ododo is because during his campaign, he promised to stop percentage salaries – an issue that existed before he became governor. Now, it is very clear to all citizens that the governor has kept this important promise he made. This action has changed the views of many people, especially from the eastern part of the state, showing that if a governor truly cares about their well-being, regardless of tribe, he has their full support.
In just three months as governor, there is no community facing insecurity that he has not personally visited. The recent unrest in Omala clearly showed the governor’s deep commitment to the Igala people. He was physically present there, seeing things firsthand. After that, he briefly informed the Presidency, leading to approval for a forward military base in that local government area.
For development projects, the governor has been completely fair in how he decides where they go. Look at Ankpa LGA, where a contract for the Olubo-Ojo Gully site, including road construction, has been approved. Remarkably, this local government gave the governor the least votes in the last election. Yet, it is getting the most state-funded projects, clearly showing that Governor Ododo’s administration does not punish, discriminate against, or persecute the Igala Nation.
Sadly, those who avoided ethnic agendas in 2019 now lead such divisive narratives in 2023, only caring about their personal interests and ambitions. This behavior shows the lowest levels of greed and selfishness. Unfortunately, many have fallen for their greedy, self-serving ambitions.
Kogi state is made up of more than six ethnic groups, and history shows the Igalas have widely intermarried with other tribes in the state. However, when it comes to politics, the greedy few always play the ethnic card, violating the old bonds that have united us as a people.
The Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara recently faced a distressing incident when 24 students were abducted from the campus. Fortunately, the governor’s prompt response facilitated the speedy and adroit rescue operation that secured the release of most of the captive students. Efforts are currently underway to secure the safe return of the remaining three students still being held. This occurrence clearly highlights the governor’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the presence of kidnappers and bandits within the state of Kogi, ensuring it remains an inhospitable environment for such criminal activities.
The Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara recently faced a distressing incident when 24 students were abducted from the campus. Fortunately, the governor’s prompt response facilitated the speedy and adroit rescue operation that secured the release of most of the captive students. Efforts are currently underway to secure the safe return of the remaining three students still being held. This occurrence clearly highlights the governor’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the presence of kidnappers and bandits within the state.
We applaud the governor’s herculean efforts to finally bridge the deep, tribal chasms that have insidiously divided us during the last election. The path towards true unity shall be arduous, but his open-door policy and willingness to amplify all stakeholder voices is fostering an environment where the cancerous forces of ethnic Agenda cannot survive.
Moreover, we remain optimistic that Governor Ododo’s credible mandate will be reaffirmed by the judgement of the esteemed tribunal in no distant time. The governor attained his office through a free, fair and credible process, earning the faith of the people. We trust in the impartiality of our legal institutions and eagerly await the day his victory is legally certified.
This affirmation will be a triumph over the regressive forces seeking to sow division and disenfranchise the will of the Kogi people through desperate, tribal-tinted legal maneuverings. When the truth emerges unscathed, it shall extinguish any remaining flickers of hope for the purveyors of one ill-fated agenda.
To our fellow Kogites, we issue a rallying cry – reject the demons of ethnic agenda that seek to divide and conquer us! Let us set aside these imaginary, tribal boundaries and join hands as one people with a common destiny. Only through an inviolable commitment to unity can we uplift our communities and build a better future for our children, unburdened by the yoke of tribalism.
To Governor Ododo, we extend our eternal gratitude and unflinching support. Your leadership in the battle against tribalism has inspired and emboldened us. We pledge to march beside you, an impenetrable vanguard against the tribal forces of regression, as we navigate the challenges ahead on the road to a united Kogi.
Let there be no doubt – the path to a truly united, progressive Kogi will be a grueling campaign against the intransigent forces of tribalism. But through sheer determination and an unbreakable shared vision, we shall emerge victorious over this existential foe, forging an indestructible unity.
Together, we are a unbreakable bulwark against tribal divisions. Together, we can build a Kogi where tribe holds no dominion – a land where every voice reverberates with perfect equality, every dream finds fertile soil in which to germinate, and true harmony reigns supreme.
Kogi belongs to all its people, unshackled from the scourge of tribalism. And we, soldiers in the noble vanguard, the Kogi East APC Youth Movement, stand unyielding in our solemn vow to defend this ideal. With every fiber of our being, we shall fight to excise the demons of tribalism until our sacred mission is complete and Kogi emerges as a beacon of unity to light the path for the entire nation.
United we stand, forever indivisible. Divided by tribalism, we would crumble and fall. Victory shall be ours when the deafening battle cries of tribal allegiances finally fade into silence, drowned out by the thunderous chorus of One Kogi, One People!
#Majiyagbe
