The Chairmanship Position of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Kogi State, have been zoned to Bassa by the Abu-Salman Muhammed led Kogi East Committee of the Party.
The Party in Kogi East, had on January 2nd 2024 set up the Committee to among others, look into the grievances of the Members in Bassa and carefully suggest possible Candidate for the Office of the Party Chairman in line with their agitation for zoning of the Chairmanship position to Bassa Local Government Area.
The Members representing the nine Local Government Areas in Kogi East include; Abu-Salman Mohammed - Chairman, representing Bassa LGA, Comr. Peter O Momoh - Secretary (Olamaboro), Hon. Usman Abdulmumin - Member (Ankpa), Hon. Unuja Abu - Member (lbaji), Hon. Ademu Adejo - Member (Dekina), Hon. Mustapha Mohammed - Member (Omala), Hon. John Utene - Member (ldah), Hon. Usufu Baba lbrahim - Member (lgalamela/Odolu) and Hon. Ilyasu Abdulkadir - Member (Ofu).
The Committee's Report read in part;
"TERMS OF REFERENCE:
The Committee was given the following terms of reference,
1. To look into the grievances of the Members in Bassa and Carefully suggest possible Candidate for the Office of the Party Chairman in line with their agitation for Zoning of the Chairmanship their for zoning position agitation to Bassa Local
2. To look into the position of party stakeholders on the matter and recommend as deemed appropriate.
3. The Committee was also mandated to take into cognizance the principle of federal character Commission in line with National unity, fairness, equity and Justice in arriving at a final decision on the matter.
The Committee was given four weeks to complete its assignment.
COMMITTEE REPORT:
After it's sitting within the four weeks' timeline, and having made visits to stakeholders and also had interface with aspirants on the subject matter, the Committee has therefore come up with the following resolutions and recommendations after due diligence.
1. The Committee observed lopsidedness in the allocation of party positions and political appointments between the nine Local Government Areas in the past and called for a change to ensure equity and fairness.
2. A breakdown of party positions in the past indicate that, Idah Federal Constituency once enjoyed the position of the National Party Chairman in person of Senator Ahmadu Ali, Barrister Dangana Ocheja -State Chairman, Emmanuel Egwu - State PDP Secretary and other Party Positions.
Similarly, Ankpa Federal Constituency has the current State Secretary of the Party who has been on seat in the last eight years. Late Linco Ocheje and Seidu Odoma were also past Zonal Kogi East Chairmen of the Party.
Dekina Federal Constituency also had Chief John Odawu as State Party Chairman with Maman Pele served as Zonal Chairman.
COMMITTEE: noted that all these party positions cut across the 3 Federal Constituencies within Igala speaking areas.
In the same vain, the Committee observed that most political positions in the State from Kogi East came from the Igala speaking areas, e.g, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives and Minister. For this and many other considerations, the Committee has passionately looked at the agitations and plea of Bassa PDP Stakeholders and has zoned the Chairmanship slot to Bassa Local Government Area and recommend same.
Committee also had an interface with various aspirants for the position of Kogi State PDP chairman.
Having heard and listened to various submissions recommended and unanimously adopted Hon. Mohammed Sani Gambo as the sole candidate from the area to contest for the position of Kogi state chairman of the People's Democratic party (PDP).
Committee observed that Hon, Mohammed Sani Gambo has held the position of legal Adviser at divisional level (Bassa) for eight years and other critical assignments and deems him qualified to contest the Chairmanship position.
It is pertinent to state that party members must be given a sense of belonging to avoid rivalry and crisis associated with the struggle for party positions.
The PDP at this time must work to right the wrongs of the past to engender cohesion and peace in the party", the Committee's report read in part", the Report read.
The Public is also advised to disregard reports of Zoning of the Chairmanship position to Olamaboro as there was never such development in the Party or among the Committee.
Meanwhile, there are other Reports on same subject matter, from Hon. Zakari and Elders Reports which were reportedly rejected but only that of Abu-Salman Report is yet to be opposed as it is seen as authentic report that reflects fairness and equity.
Another question from the Bassa speaking people of Kogi East to the Igala speaking people is, "if they still want to have the Chairmanship position of the PDP in Kogi State, will they allow us have the Governorship, Minister, Senatorship, Ambassadorial and other top positions they have been enjoying?
For equity, justice, fairness and continuous peaceful coexistence, allow the Bassa Speaking people, serve as the next State Chairman of the PDP in Kogi State.
Another option is a level playing ground requested by all Aspirants for the position, where they all go to the poll to contest for the position and a winner will emerge.
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