ADC chieftain and Kogi-born political activist, Comrade Usman Okai Austin, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure equitable representation of Kogi East Senatorial District in the ongoing creation of new electoral wards in the state.
Okai, in a press statement, alleged that Kogi East was being marginalised in the commission’s proposed ward restructuring, insisting that the exercise must be guided by established legal and administrative parameters, including population and geographical landmass.
He alleged that the current proposal disproportionately favoured Kogi West and some other areas, warning that the perceived imbalance could heighten political tension in the state.
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According to him, there was no justification for excluding Kogi East from the exercise, describing the zone as the most populous and largest in terms of landmass in the state.
Okai urged the leadership of INEC to act as impartial public servants serving the interests of the entire state rather than favouring any particular senatorial district.
He also appealed to stakeholders across the three senatorial districts to speak up for equity and justice, warning that actions perceived as marginalising the people of Kogi East could trigger widespread political unrest.
He insisted that the proposed ward distribution should not be implemented without a comprehensive review.
Okai further alleged that INEC had proposed additional wards for local government areas in Kogi West, including nine for Ijumu, four for Mopa-Muro, six for Yagba East, four for Yagba West, four for Kabba-Bunu and five for Okene, while, according to him, none of the nine local government areas in Kogi East was allocated additional wards.
He questioned the rationale behind the alleged distribution and called on INEC to ensure that the exercise was transparent, fair and reflective of the demographic and geographical realities of the state.
Okai also reminded the commission’s leadership that the appointment of its chairman had been welcomed across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State.
He therefore cautioned against using the office to advance what he described as regional favouritism, stressing that the process should promote fairness and preserve unity among the people of the state.