Twenty seven persons have reportedly declared interest to participate in the fresh primary to be conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to fill the governorship slot of the party in the inconclusive Kogi Gubernatorial election.
It was learnt that the number of aspirants for the vacant seat has continued to swell since the party decided to use primary to find replacement for the deceased candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu ahead of the supplementary election scheduled for December 5.
Those who had reportedly declared their interest in the governorship slot from Kogi Central senatorial districts are: Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Senator Abatemi Usman, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar (Gamji), Adinoyi Onukaba-Ojo and Sadiq Adaba.
Aspirants from Kogi West Senatorial zone are Suleiman Baba Ali, Otunba Suleiman Lanre, Dr Yakeen Abdullahi, Rotimi Obadofin, Olusola Olumoroti and Clarence Obafemi. Kogi East has the highest number of aspirants with the likes of Sani Shu’aibu, Air Vice Marshal Atawodi Saliu, Hadiza Ibrahim, Abdullahi Suleiman and Yakubu Mohammed already in the race. Also contesting from the zone are Senator Yahaya Ugbane, James Ocholi , Abutu Ejeh, Hussain Idris, Sunday Edibo, Dr. Tim Nda Diche, Aliyu Jiya, Alex Kadiri and Usman Mainyanga.
There are equally speculation on the social media that the first son of the deceased candidate, Mustapha Abubakar Audu has joined the race to replace his father. The unconfirmed report has it that Mustapha’s entry into the race has generated mixed reactions with many questioning his leadership credentials to govern a state.
Whether the son of the deceased ex-governor can meet the legal criteria to stand for the primary remains a major puzzle as at press time.
By Olisemeka Obeche