Kogi Power Play: Okai Ignites Battle for Fair Ward Boundaries!
Kogi-born political activist Usman Okai Austin has called on INEC to ensure equitable consideration for all parts of Kogi State in the proposed creation and delimitation of electoral wards. He urged stakeholders across the state to formally submit their applications, emphasizing that equal consideration is crucial for broad acceptance of the exercise.
Usman Okai Austin, a prominent political activist from Kogi State, has publicly appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all parts of the state receive equitable consideration during the proposed creation and delimitation of electoral wards. Okai conveyed this crucial message in a personally signed statement released on Saturday, emphasizing the necessity of a fair process to foster widespread acceptance across the state.
Okai's current stance represents an evolution from his earlier concerns, which were predicated on information suggesting that requests for ward creation could not be initiated through direct appeals from affected areas. However, he has since urged stakeholders from various parts of Kogi State to actively engage in the process by submitting their formal applications and presenting their demands directly to the commission.
His revised assessment of INEC's approach to state-specific issues has been significantly influenced by recent events. Specifically, Okai referenced the Assembly restoration process, which was meticulously handled by the INEC chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN. Furthermore, he cited the conduct of the recent Osun State election and the commission’s adept management of issues involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as factors bolstering his confidence in INEC's capabilities.
In a direct call to action, the activist urged stakeholders spanning Kogi East, Kogi Central, and Kogi West senatorial districts to participate vigorously in the ward delimitation process. He underscored that the equal consideration of interests from these diverse regions is paramount to ensuring that the exercise achieves broad acceptance and legitimacy among the populace of Kogi State.