Kogi 2023: PDP, ADC plot to end Yahaya Bello’s 16-year tenure under the Ebira system

After the 2023 general elections, the focus is now on the off-season governorship elections in the states of Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa.

In Kogi State, where incumbent Governor Yayaha Bello is serving his second term, more than ten APC members have lined up to take his place.

But on Thursday, Governor Bello declared that Usman Ododo, the state auditor general, was his top choice.

According to Obasanjonews.com, Governor Mohammed Bello-Matawale, the chairman of the election commission, stated that a “gentlemanly agreement” had been struck.

As a result, Deputy Governor Edward Onoja, former Finance Commissioner David Adebanji-Jimoh, Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, Chief of Staff Abdulkareem Asuku, and Accountant-General Momoh Jibrin abandoned the contest.

Bello’s support for Ododo, a member of the Ebira ethnic group and a native of Kogi Central, proved many people’s suspicions that the governor was preparing for 16/16.

Ododo was chosen as the APC flagbearer at the end of the primary election.

Ododo won the governorship election by garnering 78,704 votes overall, beating out six other candidates.

He triumphed over Barr, the distant runner-up. Mohammed Ozigi Salami received 1,506 votes, while Smart Adeyemi, a senator from Kogi West Senatorial District, received 311 votes, the fewest of any candidate.

History of the Kogi guber seat

Three main ethnic groups can be found in the state: the Igala in Kogi East, the Ebira in Kogi Central, and the Okun in Kogi West.

Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu, Dekina, Ankpa, Olamaboro, Bassa, and Omala local governments are among the nine local government areas that make up Kogi East. While Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene, and Ogori-Magongo are located in Kogi Central.

Kaba Bunu, Kogi/Koto Karfe, Mopa Muro, Ijumu, Yagba East, Yagba West, and Lokoja are the seven local government areas that make up Kogi West. However, minority tribes predominate in Kogi/Koto Karfe and Lokoja.

Abubakar Audu, Idris Ibrahim, and Idris Wada were all governors from 1999 to 2015, and they were all from Kogi East. After Audu’s passing in 2015, Yahaya Bello made her debut.

According to rumors, Governor Bello wants to make sure that an Ebira man replaces him so that his zone can have a total of 16 years of continuous rule.

Adapt to using ADC

James Faleke, Abubakar Audu’s running companion, was widely anticipated to enter the race; in fact, a group is said to have purchased his N50 million nomination form; however, he did not appear during the screening process.

Insiders in the APC informed Obasanjonews.com that Bola Tinubu asked Faleke not to run in order to recognize Bello for his contribution to the presidential election.The ambition of Faleke can cause conflict between Tinubu and Bello.

Faleke is still pushing for the job to be zoned to Kogi West.

“Kogi Central would have been in the driver’s seat for 8 years straight by the end of Yahaya Adoza Bello’s term. I feel that the moment has arrived to be equitable and fair to everybody, without undermining the right of individuals involved to run for any office,” he had remarked.

However, Bello’s support for Ododo has put an end to any discussion about Kogi West.

Obasanjonews.com has learned that there are efforts in Kogi West to use Leke Abejide, a member of the Kogi West House of Representatives, as a third force to thwart Bello’s scheme.

Dino Melaye is also from Kogi West, but many people in the zone prefer Abejide for a variety of reasons. He won the House seat in 2019 through ADC. He was elected again in 2023 and even supported a different ADC candidate in the Ijumu/Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency.

“In Nigeria, BVAS has altered the electoral landscape. Take a look at Alex Otti in Abia; Abejide has already gone through two battles. At the height of his influence, Yahaya Bello won his Reps election in 2019. And in 2023, it is well known that he not only secured his reelection but also ensured the growth of ADC, according to Mr. Abejide’s supporter Leadi Abdulahi, who spoke with Obasanjonews.com.

Others in the state, on the other hand, think that the only candidate who can unseat Bello and the APC is Igala.

The zone has a strong voting bloc thanks to its nine local government districts.

Prior to Sunday’s primaries, Melaye appeared to have the backing of Atiku Abubakar and the party’s national body.

The state’s orientation may shift in the coming days from party allegiance to ethnic loyalty.