'My political voyage since 1999 and why i am loyal to Gov Bello'

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, who is the current zonal chairman of the party in Kogi East, honorable Ahmed Attah, has narrated his political journey in Kogi State and how providence brought him in tactact with the governor.

Honorable Ahmed, also nicknamed ‘1 man 9 local governments’, gave a narrative of how Governor Yahaya Bello and the Deputy, Edward Onoja rewarded his dedication to party and gave him relevance in the political pace.

His words; ‘I started politics as a party faithful for the defunct APP/ANPP where alongside other loyalist we laboured in futility for the former Kogi East Senator between 1999 – 2003, Dr. Alex Usman Kadiri. The former Senator later joined the People’s Democratic Party without any tangible constituency project”.

We also made inputs in the election that brought former Senator Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane as Senator representing Kogi East between 2003 – 2007. The Senator in similar trajectory did not deliver the diviends of democracy to the people he represented at the Red chambers, failing particularly to facilitate electricity for his constituency even as the chairman Senate committee on power. He later accused the party of handing over to him a “rotten corn” as an excuse for his non performance.

“Again, we alongside other comrades of the ANPP laboured rigorously for former senator Attai Aidoko who after a failed attempt to clinch the PDP’s senatorial ticket defected to the ANPP and eventually won the election. The former senator left the ANPP and pitched back with the PDP, without any reasonable inputs towards the growth and development of the people of Kogi East.

“Between this period, I have also worked with the former Senator ABUBAKAR Railway and former House of Representatives Member for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, Hoń Benjamin Ikani Okolo but same story after electoral victories.

Eventually In 2011, I met Edward David Onoja the incumbent Deputy Governor of Kogi State who was then contesting to represent Olamaboro at the State House of Assembly under the party ANPP, an election which he lost. He was later appointed as the director of the 3Rs (Rescue, Restore, Rebuild) initiatives under the late Prince Abubakar Audu 2011 gubernatorial campaign.

“When Edward Onoja decided to support the candidacy of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, he convinced me to align noting that Yahaya Bello was a trustworthy individual who would not betray trusts and loyalty offered.

“With the several disappointments I have experienced with my kinsmen in my sojourn in politics I decided to give his offer a try and as God would have it, Governor Bello emerged as the State governor in 2016 owing to the demise of the Late political Icon Prince Abubakar Audu.

“Today, the man GYB an Ebira man has made me politically relevant juxtaposed the deceit I experienced from my own people and then I ask is, what is my offense in supporting such a MAN ???

“Truth be told, Kogi State under the leadership of the New Direction Government has like never before empowered youths in the state and since its inception ensured that responsible and vibrant persons occupied positions of authority.

“This act has made young formerly irrelevant individuals relevant and has also helped to set examples for other states in the country that young people can govern when given the opportunity.

“His government has also achieved a great deal in the area of infrastructural development, agriculture, security, civil service reform, primary health care and the rest.

“My loyalty to the New Direction Government has remained intact being convinced of his good intentions towards the people of Kogi East and the state entirely.

Comrade Ahmed Attah
APC Zonal Chairman
Kogi East