Kogiflame
Leader of All Progressive Youths Vanguard, Dr. Opeyemi Abubakar has appealed to the Kogi Governor – elect, Ododo Ahmed Usma, to reserve the position of the Secretary to State Government (SSG) for a candidate from Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency while forming his government in January 27, 2024.
Specifically, the forum urged Governor Yahaya Bello and the governor- elect to consider Kabba/Bunu Local government area for the position.
Convener of the group, Dr. Opeyemi Abubakar who made this known on Monday said since their is a laid down principle in the sharing of political position in the state, for the West to be adequately and evenly represented, the position of the SSG should be reserved for someone from Kabba/Bunu LGA.
This, he said, was for the sake of fairness, equity and justice.
“The implication of allowing the position of SSG to be occupied by someone from Kabba/Bunu is that it would create the much-needed political balance in the state structure.
“Setting An Agenda for Continuity, the governor’s elect must follow the path governor Yahaya Bello has laid down – which is the path of equity and justice expecially in political representation.
“As a body that want the success of our party, it is our duty to put things in the right perspective in the quest for transparency, equity, and justice in our dear Kogi State.
“It must be stated that in the executive arm of government, the office of the Secretary to the State Government is regarded as the engine room of government, saddled with the responsibility for ensuring the effective coordination and monitoring of the implementation of government policies and programs.
“The SSG also serves as a front-line advisory institution. Given that the Lokoja/Kogi federal Constituency is already occupying the Speakership position, the Yagba Federal Constituency is also occupying the senate seat, it will be justifiable that the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu axis should be given the slot of the SSG in the spirit of equity.
“Furthermore, between the two LGAs that made up the federal Constituency, the House of Representatives seat is already filled by Ijumu axis in the person of Arch. Salman Idris – leaving Kabba/Bunu LGA more equitably positioned for the SSG position.
“We wish to use this medium to call on the APC leadership to see this proposition as ideal and necessary, given the need to bring about a sense of inclusiveness in the governance structure of our state.
“The necessity of now requires proactive actions that would give Kogi the much required tonic in governance. And one such move would be the appointment of any of the qualified personalities such as Present Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones; Present State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara; Former Speaker of Kogi Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Matthew; former APC Governorship Aspirant, Jimoh Adebanji amidst other well qualified personalities from the council area.”
The group however said they will engaged people across the state on opinion poll to narrow the list to one or two persons for the governor -elect to pick from, stressing that the SSG position is too critical not to be taken serious.
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