As the 2015 general elections draws closer, the need for violent free polls became necessary in Kogi Central Zone of Kogi State known for violence during elections. A one-day interactive session for stakeholders and party candidates on Constituency Reportage and Community Outreaches was organised by Kogi Central CSOs Network in Okene.
To erase the battered image of politicking in the central zone of Kogi state, a coalition of Civil Society organisations in the zone under the auspices of Kogi Central CSOs Network took the initiative to calm nerves among politicians ahead of the crucial February polls by holding an interactive session in the ancient city of Okene.
Okene, the headquarters of the Ebira nation is known for rich culture, tradition and religion spanning centuries but recent development in the political life of the people pseudo put a dent to the image of the zone based on the reality of how politics is played among the people.
The incidence of violence resulting to destruction of lives and property as seen among politicians and their supporters in the past constrained a meeting of party candidates and stakeholders to converge on Okene in the cold morning of January 17, 2015 for an Interactive session on Constituency Reportage and Community Outreaches.
As the cold morning gradually gives way to the warm weather of the day, the political gladiators from the zone and their teeming supporters filter into the venue at the hilltop side of the town, the atmosphere became charged with the expectations of a departure from the past.
Party candidates including current serving Senator of the Zone, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi and his counterparts in the House of Representatives, Tijani Damisa representing Okene/Ogori Mangogo Federal Constituency and Abdulrahaman Badamasuiy representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker, Momoh Lawal and other serving members of the Kogi State Assembly as well as candidates vying for Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats from the Kogi Central Zone were all present to chant a way for a violent free polls in February.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman, Kogi Central CSOs Network, Mohammed Attah said the interactive session was to reinvigorate the political sector for grassroots development of the zone.
He noted that Kogi Central has been known for violence during elections in the past and there is every need to shift to non-violent and issue based elections hence, the need to bring all party candidates and stakeholders to discuss issues of peace, security and development of the zone.
Chairman of the occasion and President, Ebira Peoples Association (EPA), Dr. Abdulrahman Adeiza said the interactive session is the first gathering of the key politician power blocks in the zone in the last eight years and it became necessary to probe all the candidates and representatives in the zone. He said the zone is blessed with both human and material resources but it has not translated into physical development of the people. “Finding solution to what is wrong with our land is that all politicians here today will be held by what they say”, Adeiza noted.
The need for peace and development in the zone was hot on the lips of stakeholders who frowned at the way party candidates go about canvassing for support in the forthcoming elections. They believe that the last known violence in the zone was necessitated by hate messages executed by thugs who are always handy as a result of high unemployment among youths in the area.
On the need for a peaceful election in Kogi Central, Guest Speaker at the session and Director General of Peoples Democratic Institute, Abuja, Dr. Lanre Adebayo said Kogi Central has never been short of leaders but has not translated to good development of the zone.
He said leaders have dual responsibility, the national and local hence, politicians must connect with people. “Kogi Central is so blessed; the people should use the wealth to improve the people of the land. Look for people who are selfless, hardworking, confident and who understands what it takes to lead”, he said.
Dr. Adebayo noted that democracy cannot be effective without the people directly involved in the process as governance is a continuous engagement with the people. He urged the people of Kogi Central Zone to constantly engage themselves with their representatives to fashion out area of attention.
“Budgeting is all about the people so the people must be involved in the process”, Dr. Adebayo said.
He further admonished politicians to eschew the use hate messages as they try to woe voters ahead of the general elections in the state. He said hate messages has been the cause of violence in Nigeria while urging the candidates to learn the language of vote canvassing not violence.
Dr. Adebayo concluded by saying constituency reportage is very important in democracy because it foster accountability while urging the organisers to maintain it as it will help the politicians to cut cost in connecting with the electorates in the future.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, in a message delivered by the Asema of Ezuka Clan, Adavi, Alhaji Momoh Sani Isah, thanked the organisers saying the programme was apt at this time of campaigning in the country. The Ohinoyi also urge all politicians to respect their people and frowned at the attitude of candidates seeking elections not consulting with traditional rulers in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi who represents the zone at the Senate said he is committed to a non-violent campaign and urge organizers to maintain the town hall meeting in the zone.
Other elected representatives from the zone including the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly made presentations to the people on their scorecard since coming into office in 2011. Candidates vying for election in the February elections took turn to present their development plans to the people.
One major highlight of the session was an accord entered into by all the party candidates that they will conduct a violent free campaign ahead of the elections and afterward. The Okene Accord is a litmus test on all the party candidates in next month’s general election in Kogi Central Zone of Kogi State.
