President Bola Tinubu at a meeting with leaders of Okun Development Association in Kogi West Senatorial District, led by Professor Micheal Ikupolati, at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, assured the Okun nation of his commitment to look into their concerns regarding marginalization and the need for fair representation in the governance of Kogi State.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement indicated that the delegation had decalred their support for the administration of President Tinubu, requesting the support of the president to ensure that Kogi West Senatorial District is given an opportunity to produce the Governor of Kogi State in the forthcoming election.
The Okun delegation noted that the the forthcoming election would be the first opportunity for the to produce the state governor since the creation of the state in 1991, 27 years ago.
President Tinubu, after listening to their pleas, emphasised that ‘‘democracy is about horse trading, numbers, about conflicts and conflict resolution.”
He declared: “I appreciate your leadership and your position. One of your sons, James Faleke, has worked very closely with me and I know about the issue when late Prince Audu was alive.
‘‘But that was the way of God Almighty. He passed on and the arrangement didn’t work and there was a judgement from the Supreme Court that was the last bus stop. That brought about the present government in the State, who is also a member of our party.’’
Tinubu reiterated that he would properly investigate the issue of power rotation and constitutional provisions to guarantee equal rights for all Senatorial Districts, including fair representation.
According to the President, ‘‘When you talk about domination, I’ll have to dig deeper on the issues. Yes, the question of rotation was agreed by Prince Audu and some other leaders but death didn’t allow him. God Almighty knows the reasons and we cannot question him.’’