Audu and the challenge of change

[Defender]

As the governorship election in Kogi State draws nearer, politicians jostling for the exalted office are getting their acts together. One of the major candidates is  former Governor Abubakar Audu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Correspondent MOHAMMED BASHIR takes a look at the man, his party and his politics.

Prince Abubakar Audu has been an active participant in the politics of Kogi State since it was created in 1992. He emerged governor the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the December 1991 election and assumed office January 1992. That regime was truncated when Geneal Sani Abacha sacked the still born Third Republic in November 1993.  At the resumption of democracy in 1999, Audu, then a member of the All Peoples Party (APP),was again elected the governor. During his tenure, Kogi State was put on the path of development among comity of states in Nigeria.



Observers of the  Audu records have noted that the state fared well during his four year administration. Notable among his achievements are: establishment of the Kogi State University, Ayingba; Obajana Cement company located at Obajana and construction of feeder road.

The records were said to have attracted several honours and awards which include that of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) when Professor Jerry Gana was the Minister of Information and National Orientation.

Though he lost the 2003 gubernatorial election in the state, he has attributed the failure to victimization against his supporters under the watchful eyes of the army, police, and other security parastatals.

The movement of  Audu from the All Nigeria  Peoples Party (ANPP) to ACN has been described as a welcome idea  by the leadership of the party. It is believed that he has the political wherewithal to deliver the state to ACN. His alignment with ACN has reinvigorated the party and made the election more competitive.

Audu told The Nation: "ANPP started very strongly, with over five governors, but today the progress of the party is dwindling. Instead of increasing the number of its governors, the party today has lost so many governorship seats and other elected offices.

"I chose to move ahead with ACN which started with one governor but now has five and more are still coming, including myself," he added.

While the  defection of Audu to ACN,  has boosted the party's electoral value, it is causing ripples as some of the original members of the party kicked against the idea. Worse still  his choice of running mate from t he ANPP did not go down well with the army of ACN aspirants as the former governors settled for Hon. Henry Ojuola representing Yagba East in the State House of Assembly.

Their grudge is that Audu should not have picked his running mate from the same party. But in a sharp reaction, the former governor has explained that the matter is a domestic affair. The state chairman of the ACN, Haddy Ametuo said:  "We don't want to see the choice of Ojuola as a big deal or cause for alarm. We will sort it out and ensure we capture power from  the PDP, come December 3rd."

Ojuola, in a telephone chat, said that he had resigned from the ANPP on the July 4 and could not therefore be regarded as an ANPP member as at October when the governorshp candidate settled for him. He said the most important things  are electoral value and quality.

Ojuola a two term  member of the State Assembly declared that

"I did not just leave ANPP, my supporters especially those who bestowed on me the mandate to represent them at the state assembly asked me to leave and go along with them to the ACN. So, I joined the ACN even before I was made the running mate to Prince Audu.

"I am not surprised because this is politics, they thought they could use this to put me down. But they have failed," he added.

It is said that the choice of Ojuola as the running mate,  was based on his capability and forthrightness.

In the course of shopping for running mate the ACN and PDP ended up looking the same direction. Both Yomi Awoniyi who is the running mate of PDP candidate Captain Idris Wada and Ojuola hail from the same federal constituency. Awoniyi from Mopamuro and Ojuola from Yagba west.

Ojuola told The Nation that popularity will be determined by the electorate.

"Let watch and see during the election but I also want to remind you that I was elected twice as member of the assembly. I leave the rest for you to answer."

There have also been  conflicting issues on  how Ojuola will reconcile his present position as legislator and being a running mate. But Ojuola, waived the question, saying that, as a member of the Bar for many decades, he was abreast of the legal implications having also carried out wide consultations before his action.

Ojuola defended the allegation that Audu and he had taken over the ACN. He said it was irrelevant as the victory of ACN was the only issue that matters.

"ACN and some prominent members of the ANPP went into a merger, I was elected to the House on ANPP platform. Audu is now a full fledged member of ACN. He has long left the ANPP and as you can see. ANPP members who stayed behind have their governorship candidate for this election. So I still believe that my emergence is in order in the spirit of the merger."

On the chances of ACN taking over power in the state, Audu said the coming election will only take place in Kogi and there will be no room for the PDP's usual manipulation as the whole world will be in the state to monitor the exercise.

He said: "I am  not nursing any grievances against anybody. In a game like this it is not possible for all of us to be in one  camp, but since the primary is over, we must close rank and work together to achieve the objective of bringing change to governance in our state".

The ACN flagbearer lamented that  incalculable damages have been done to governance in the state in the last  nine years of PDP administration, arguing that hundreds of billions of Naira have accrued to the state as external and internal revenues  and there is nothing to show for it.

The stage is set. Come December 3, the people's yearning for transformation will be put to the vote. It is one of the few occasions when the people act as the judge

CULLED FROM THE NATION.