Idah, the Headquarters of Igala Kingdom, went agog on Friday, 7 July 2023, as the Social Democratic Party, SDP Governorship Candidate, Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka / Hon. Sam Abenemi Embark on courtesy visit to Ancestral home.
Idah, the headquarters of the Igala speaking people of Kogi state was agog as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party ( SDP) Alh Murtala Yakubu Ajaka and his deputy , Hon. Sam Abenemi embarked on courtesy visit to the good people of Idah Local Government Area of Kogi state.
The occasion which was witnessed by thousands of supporters across all the political parties was held at the premises of Attah Igala palace ,Idah ,Kogi state.
According to the Social Democratic Party Governorship candidate, Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka while thanking the people of the area ,he stated that his quest to contest the office of the governor of Kogi state is to rescue the state and the people from poverty , economic starvation and provide jobs opputunities to youths , women and the physically challenged persons.
He stated that ,if given the opportunity on the 11th of November,2023, the issues of percentage salaries to local government workers and teachers including other categories of workers in the state would be a thing of the past.
He assured the people of timely rehabilitation of Ganaja / Ajaokuta road, completion of Ganaja / Kaduna junction bye pass and many other projects initiated by Capt. Idris Wada administration in the state as efforts are in place to establish Kogi Construction Corporation to construct and rehahalitate all local government roads and linked them to ease the transportation of the movement of goods and farm products from the farms to the market thereby making the incoming government farmers friendly.
Education,Health, Agriculture Security and infrastructure will be part of thematic areas as about seven local government areas of the state will be redesigned as urban cities of the state and the potientials of our teeming youths would be maximised to the fullest.
He promised the independent of traditional rulers with a constitutional roles and the autonomy of the local government will be backed by the relevant laws of the House of Assembly in the state.
He wondered how some people in government go to sleep without water running in their taps in the state capital for many years ( the Lokoja Greater Water works has been abandoned and the people have resorted to self -help in seeking for water.
He assured the people that, the Greater Lokoja Water works would be restored and expanded to other areas like Felele ,Zango and other areas within the metropolis.
On why he was not able to see Attah Igala ,he stated that , there was a circular by the state governor through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs , directing all first class chiefs not to receive any candidate .
However ,the traditional rulers are not politicians ,but traditional heads of various towns and communities within their jurisdiction as politicians only visit them for royal blessing which other candidates of the party including the Ododo ,Bello cousin has visited Attah Igala and others in the state without restriction,but on his part and that of his thousands of supporters and followers , they are not disturbed as this goes to show the dictatorship roles of the present government whose tenure shall come to an end in less than 6 months from now.
When asked on his next line of campaign ,he promised to visit central and west after a wider consultation as Independent National Electoral Commission has opened doors for campaigns for the three states Imo ,Bayalsa and Kogi and that Kogi can’t be an exception as he is a product of rule of law .
The gathering at Idah ,the ancient city of the Igala speaking people of Kogi state no doubt involved all the former elected local government chairmen , Houses of Assembly members, Commissioners, councillors even the immediate past Hon commissioner for agriculture in the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello ,Hon. David Apeh along with notable politicians from Ibaji local government area of the state.
Its stated that the unity of the people come with common goal as the majority of local government workers and teachers see the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate as the hope for the masses who have been tested and trusted even without holding any elective office ,he was able to put smile on the faces of his people most importantly the victims of the last flood in the state and not only that the electrification of some major towns and higher institutions in the east and the entire state as a whole, Among the personalities present were:
Hon. Benjamin Ikani Okolo former House of Representatives, Hon Sheikh Ibrahim former house of Representatives Aspirant ,Rtd Col. Babanawa ,Hon. Tijani Alfa Siaka ,Hon Gembo , Hon Ohemi , Hon. Engr. Sanni Idakwo and his beloved wife ,Hon Rabi Emaikwu ,former house of Representatives aspirant from Idah federal constituency , Hon Ukwubile ,Hon. former House of Assembly members from Bassa ,Ibaji ,Omala ,Ankpa ,Dekina / Biraidu ,Hon Moses Idoko Ododo, Hon Abdulaziz Idoko ,former commissioner for works and housing ,Hon. Arida Sani Ogwu , CEO,Arisman Nig Ltd and host of other dignitaries from across the country.