Guber Race: Kogi Central Forecast Group Endorses Senator Abatemi—Usman

By Michael Jegede

A group of Sons and Daughters of Ebiraland and Patriots of Kogi

Central known as Kogi Central Forecast Group (KCFG) based in Kogi

State has called on Senator Nurudeen Abatemi–Usman, an eloquent, soft

spoken and God-fearing politician to contest for the Kogi Governorship

Election this 2015.
The call was made at a Mid-Year General Meeting held recently by the

group in Okene town-hall to welcome Senator Nurudeen Abatemi–Usman to

the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Over 1,000 people who attended the meeting across Kogi Central threw

their weight behind the governorship aspiration of the great legend of

Ebiraland Senator Deen, saying that “we stand by our Son, Brother and

Uncle.”
The group described Senator Deen as one of the greatest Sons of

Ebiraland, adding: "we the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District

deserve our turn to occupy Lugard House Lokoja. We are very much

unhappy with the undevelopment in Kogi State. We are worried by the

extent of corruption and mal-administration where civil servants both

at Local and State level cannot take their three square meals due to

non-payment of salaries or payment of salaries in percentage. Only

credible and trustworthy person can revive this State from

ill-governance and take it to the next level and we believe Senator

Deen has the intellectual capacity as a tested and trusted politician

with the right acumen, experience and background to put Kogi State on

the path of progress and advancement, if given the opportunity to

mount the mantle of leadership. The Kogi East Senatorial District has

held sway for too long and so it is only pertinent that they allow

power to move to another zone.”
Different Speakers at gathering eulogized Senator Abatemi – Usman for

his numerous achievements, especially his charitable gesture such as

scholarship award to enable Kogi Central Sons and Daughters to study

at home and abroad; Building of Schools; Building of Hospital;

Employment for the teaming youths; Empowerment for over 1,200 people

across Kogi Central; Distribution of 50 transformers across 5 Local

Government in Kogi Central; Provision of Numerous Borehole across 5

Local Government; Distribution of 21 cars to his constituents across

Kogi Central; Distribution five (5) buses to the five Local Government

in Kogi Central.
It was also observed that Senator Deen in his primary assignment,

which is lawmaking as against execution of projects sponsored three

(3) important bills include Local Government financial autonomy meant

to strengthen the operation of Local Governments such that they will

no longer be at the mercy of the State Governors. KCFG further noted

that beside the three (3) bills Senator Deen sponsored directly, he

also co-sponsored 21 bills, pointing out that no lawmaker at any level

in Kogi Central Senatorial District has ever made this record.

The speech of the president of the group, Mr. Yakubu Nazir Abdulhakeem

reflected the heartfelt views of those present at the event.

He described Senator Deen as one of the most popular Sons of

Ebiraland, in particular and Kogi State in general, stressing that “he

is a man who believes in justice, fairness, and equity.”

Mr. Yakubu further noted that “Almighty God has done us well by giving

us a great Son like Senator Nurudeen Abatemi – Usman. We then call on

all Royal Fathers, Religious Leaders, Political Stakeholders and

Leader of thought in Kogi State to enormously endorse Senator Nurudeen

Abatemi – Usman, as our next governor. We all agree we cannot find a

more credible, trustworthy, honest and reliable Son than Senator

Nurudeen Abatemi – Usman to take over government and free Kogi from

the current state of decadence.
Other speaker at the occasion includes Pastor A. O. Emmanuel; Pastor

Emmanuel called on the people to use this opportunity to welcome our

Son, Brother and Uncle Senator Deen to the race to save Kogi State

under APC.
Mallam Dahiru Ibrahim on his part, said Distinguish Senator Nurudeen

Abatemi – Usman, in a drastic move to fulfill his electoral promise on

the push for the actualization of Ajaokuta Steel using legislative

means swung into action immediately he took oath of office on June 6,

2011 with his visit to Ajaokuta Steel Company and Itakpe Iron Ore

Mining Company, NIOMCO, Itakpe.
According to him, “within a year of coming into office, Senator Deen

pressurize the then President Goodluck Jonathan to get the interim

management team of both companies dissolve after they have spent over

four years doing nothing to bring the Steel complex back to life. The

Senator`s doggedness and tenacity saw to the emergence of a man from

Kogi State as the Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company. As far

as we are concerned, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi – Usman is the best

candidate for the Governorship seat come 2016. With the period he

spent in the Senate, Deen proved himself to be a good leader who knows

the way, goes the way, and shows the way. We pray to Almighty Allah to

make it possible for Deen to become Kogi State Governor in 2016.”

By Yakubu Nazir Abdulhakeem
President, Kogi Central Forecast Group
Okene