The Kogi State chapter of the newly registered All Progressives congress (APC) have reportedly challenged prospective governorship aspirants in the party to win House of Assembly and National Assembly seats in their senatorial districts to stand a better chance of picking the party’s sole governorship ticket come 2015.
Based on an insider report, the party has decided that the senatorial district that turns in the highest votes for APC will be given strong consideration when choosing their governorship candidate. This is a green light for those clamouring for power shift to go back to their constituencies and canvass for votes for APC.
Given the fact that three political parties merged to form APC, pundits are of the belief that the choice of candidates to fly the party’s ticket will be a herculean task. Kogi state presents an interesting scenario as the governorship election will come several months after elections into the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate.
At the moment, governorship aspirants within the party have been told to shelve their ambitions as the party wish to concentrate their efforts on the first round of elections in 2015. The leading aspirants within the party include former governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) governorship candidate, Chief James Ocholi, SAN. Efforts are being made to draft Alhaji Jubrin Isa Echocho into the race.
The race to pick APC tickets for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate is on already as aspirants have started oiling their respective political machines. The party will face huge challenge in making a choice of who to fly their flags in some senatorial districts.
In the central, the race to pick APC senate ticket is presently a straight fight between Senator Ohiare and a former commissioner, Tom Ohikere.
In the west, vocal Comrade Dino Melaiye will fight against the growing agitation from Yagba land in his bid to ‘step-up’ politically. Already, a contender from Yagbaland has shown interest in the senate seat. Hon. Sam Aro, who incidentally was in the House of Representative the same with Dino and who also lost his second term bid just like Dino has thrown his hat into the ring. A former commissioner under the last administration, Hon T.J Faniyi is reportedly lobbying APC with the hope of picking the senate ticket.
The the east, the battle for APC ticket promises to be interesting as Prince Audu is reportedly weighing his options. Incumbent Senator Attai Aidoko is interested in a second term. The aggrieved Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts who are on the verge of joining APC are negotiating for the senate ticket in the district. APC hopefuls in the east want the party to field a strong candidate that can contend with former Governor Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) who many believe will be flying the PDP flag in the 2015 senate election.
