An aspirant in upcoming gubernatorial contest in Kogi, Ocholi James, on Monday, July 10, warned that agitation for power shift in the state could cost the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory at the polls.
Ocholi gave the warning while submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms at the APC secretariat in Abuja.
He said that the call for power to move from the east to the west of the state was not in the best interest of the state.
He stated that any indigene of the state had the right to be given the mandate to govern it, and cautioned that APC members who were proponents of power shift were playing into the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“I respect the fact every indigene of the state, even an individual who has lived in Kogi for so long, deserves to vie for any position in the state.
“A situation where any side is marginalised is unacceptable to me and if I have the privilege, I’ll ensure that the best hands provide leadership for the state.
“One factor that I am worried about is that those who are agitating for power shift are mainly in APC; I have not heard the PDP agitating for power shift.
“It is obvious that they (PDP) are going to field the incumbent governor and his deputy for the next election. If that happens, the proponents of power shift in APC are playing a card for PDP,’’ he said.
According to Ocholi, APC will be taking a risk to push for power shift as it has not even got the power in the first instance.
How do you shift power when you don’t have power? We are not of in charge of the state yet.
“So, if we take this push (for power shift) to an unbearable level, it means that we are jeopardizing and taking a big risk of APC winning the election.
“I hope the proponents will weigh the indices and compare the cost implications. This game is about winning and I believe our leaders are in better position to handle this matter,’’ he said.
