As Kogites get ready for the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the Kogi State, the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Jibrin Usman (Rtd), has taken over the state with his ongoing courtesy visits and consultations with traditional rulers and executives of the party in the 21 local government areas of the state.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) highly rated gubernatorial aspirant was conferred with the highest chieftaincy title of the Igala Kingdom, ‘Oga Ata Igala’ by the Ata Igala and the Chairman, Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Royal Majesty, Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II over the weekend when he visited the monarch in Idah Local Government Area.
The monarch emphasized that the former Naval Chief deserved the title for his unprecedented positive contribution to the development of the state in general and Igala Kingdom in particular.
The Monarch told the aspirant to as a matter of emergency prioritise rehabilitation of roads in their domains if he wins the party’s ticket and secure the mandate to rule the state at the November polls.
Likewise, the Kogi East Monarchs across the Nine Local Governments also cried out to the APC frontline ticket contender, Admiral Usman Jibrin (Rtd) to fix all awful roads, pay salaries as and when due and build new social infrastructure in the district, mostly those linking to other states in order to improve the economy of the state.
The Monarchs which include His Royal Highnesses, Ejeh Of Ibaji, Aguma of Bassa, Ohigba of Mozum, Etsu of Bassa Nge, Ejeh of Dekina, Onu Ife(Ojogba) of Omala, Ejeh of Ankpa, Onu of Ankpa and Ejeh of Olamaboro from Kogi East dropped this advice during a courtesy visit to their respective palaces by the APC gubernatorial aspirant, Admiral Jibrin (rtd).
The monarchs, the Eje of Dekina, Alhaji Usman Obaje; Etsu Bassa- Nge, Col Abu Ali(rtd); the Aguma of Bassa, HRM Williams Keke; the Oyeigba of Mozum, Alhaji Ali Bukar; Onu of Ibaji, Egwemi and host of others expressed their fulfilment over major contributions of the former naval boss to the development of the state, especially in the eastern district.
The traditional rulers showered encomium on Jibrin for bringing all naval institutions and establishments to Kogi State, they include a Naval Outpost Base in Idah, Nigeria Navy Ship Lugard Banda and the Nigeria Navy Secondary School in Okura where their children and others across the nation are receiving education on different fields of human endeavours.
The monarchs asserted that Admiral Jibrin had made remarkable marks in his chosen field, carving a niche for himself making him reach such an enviable height in the Navy, they said the former Naval boss has all it takes to take Kogi State to dream land.
The Etsu of Bassa-nge in Bassa local government, Col. Ali while addressing the people said the former Naval Chief ” is a powerful man who had made the Igala nation proud on many occasions”.
He stated that he has no doubt in his mind that if given the ticket and the mandate, he will fix Kogi for the benefit of all in the state.
According to him, “I know him as a very vigorous, determined person. He has fought many wars and came out victorious
“I have a dream, that there will be a bridge on River Niger between Shintaku and Lokoja, that the road linking Shintaku to Dekina will be constructed, that social amenities that makes life worth living will be on ground,”.
The Oyeigba of Mozum, Alhaji Bukar, who said he ascended the throne of his ancestors at the age of 25, said he had got to understand in life that “there are shoes, but shoes have different sizes”.
He added that Jibrin has a pedigree that endeared him to the people of his community.
Oyeigba of Mozum, who personally thanked the APC chieftain over his role in the educational pursuit of his children in Naval secondary school in the district, said the ancestors of the land and his good works will speak for him in his bid to become the governor of Kogi state.
However, the royal fathers admonished the supporters of Admiral Jibrin to shun betrayal and get working seriously to see that the APC chieftain realise his ambition and deliver the state from the present challenges.
“No double game. You brought him. Politicians should endeavour to play their role and we will do our own. No betrayal! You have to cultivate before you harvest. No royal father can deliver him, it is you, his supporters that brought him here that will deliver him at the polls,” Etsu Bassa-Nge said.
The Director General of Jibrin’s political campaign group, Engr. Olusola Olumoroti commended the Ata Igala and other monarchs for receiving them with rousing welcome, saying they visited to receive their royal blessing and to solicit for their support in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
He stated that Jibrin and his team were out to ameliorate the hardships in the land which was deliberately created by the present administration in the state.
He told the royal fathers and APC party delegates in the district that the guber aspirant remains the hope of a better Kogi state.
Olumoroti added that the current sorry situation of the state can only be corrected by the person in the mould of Usman Jibrin.
He noted that their votes is a vote for liberation, security, development and a rise in living standard of the people in the state.