By Abubakar Ojima-Ojo Yunusa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in Kogi State, Usman Austin Okai, has criticized the lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Umar Yahaya, over his stance on governorship rotation in the state.
Yesterday, the lawmaker called for rotational governorship among the three senatorial districts in the state.
Yahaya made the call after he was conferred with an award of excellence in Lokoja on Monday by The Nigeria Post Newspaper for his outstanding representation in the Assembly.
According to him, “It is very important for us to remain united as one. The 2023 election showed that all three senatorial districts need each other to govern the state.
“Rotational governorship is very critical and important, as no tribe is superior to others. That is why there should be zoning arrangements among the three senatorial districts.”
Reacting to the development via his Facebook handle on Wednesday, Okai said there is no law that states only Igala must be allowed to be Governor of Kogi State.
“All you need to be a Governor of Kogi State is to be a citizen. All this talk of rotational governorship by some ineffective assembly members is just mere eye service.
“From Bassa to Ogori, down to Gegu and Mopa-Moro, we all have equal rights in the state.
He continued: “You can’t take away power struggles from politics. While making proposals, we should consider other tribes that don’t have equal populations too.
How do you protect the Bassa people of Kogi East? How do you protect the Ogori tribe of Kogi Central? How do you protect the Oworo people, the Kakanda people of Kogi West?
“I think equal rights for all is the best solution, and the Omala Assembly member should take note of these sensitive issues,” he said.