As preparation for the November 2023 governorship election gathers steam, Ukomu Igala, in collaboration with other stakeholders and notable Igala sociocultural groups, HRM Advisory Council, Kogi East Elders Council, Igala Elders Consultative Forum, Ojuju Agbadufu and Igala Bassa Re & D Initiative have held interactive sessions with aspirants from different political parties from the Igala speaking area of Kogi State.
According to the group, the step is to ensure that the interests of Kogi East is streamlined and harmonise to give it an edge. After extensive consultations, interaction and interviews, the group endorsed Investment Economist, Dr Sam Omale of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) as the front runner.
Similarly, the group recommended Abdullahi Haruna (SAN) as the PDP governorship candidate for this weekend primary election in Kogi State.
In the same vein, the group also recommended Murtala Yakubu Ajaka for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr J. Elukpo of Action Democratic Party and Dr Vincent Enemona of Labour Party.
The groups therefore appealed to all other aspirants in the various political parties to accept the outcome of the report and rally round the candidates so endorsed to ensure power returns to the east.
They also called on delegates in the parties, in the case of indirect primary and Party faithfuls in direct primary to vote enmass for these candidates.
The report of the committee headed by the former minister of Federal Republic Of Nigeria, Arc Gabriel Y. Aduku was endorsed by all the members of the group.
The list of screening committee for aspirants include the following
1. CHIEF GABRIEL ADUKU
2. DR RUTH ABBAH
3. DR E.Y. ATANU
4. DR S.S. AMEH
5. GEN. PATRICK AKPA (RTD)
6. CHIEF SILVESTER ONOJA
7. DR AMADU ALI
8. CHIEF S I OCHEJA
9. PROF. GODWIN OGBADU
Others are
10. DR PAUL AMODU
11. CHIEF ROBERT AUDU
12. DR JOHN ABUH ALIFIA
13 MR P.Z. ME WADA
14. H.E SULE IYAJI
15. CHIEF DR REKIYA
MOMO ABAJI
16. DR ABDULLAH AMEH
17. MR D. O OJOTULE
18. SEN NICHOLAS Y UGBANE