TheCable

Gubernatorial candidates from Kogi East say they have not decided on a consensus candidate that will represent the zone in the forthcoming off-cycle election.

The off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi are scheduled to take place on November 11.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, three of the leading candidates said the process of arriving at a consensus candidate is still ongoing.

Sam Omale, governorship candidate of the Young Peoples Party (YPP), said the forum of aspirants has set criteria that must be followed to choose who will represent the zone.

Omale said the aspirants have agreed to bring down the number of those contesting from 11 to at least three.

He said the list would be presented to a committee in the Kogi East governorship candidates forum — formed to select who will represent the zone.

“This press conference is necessitated by the fact that we are hearing in the news, all manners of endorsements by various conflicting committees,” Omale said.

“We want to let the people know that we are still working on it. We have not arrived at any consensus candidate yet.

“Such a candidate will be arrived at when we present people to an apolitical and independent committee with verifiable criterium of selection.”

The YPP flag-bearer said selecting a consensus candidate would not be at the expense of competence, noting that the process would be fair to all.

He said that the aspirants want the process to be clear, analytical and defining, adding that a candidate that has clear vision and action plans would be supported by all.

Idoko Ilona, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said Kogi East should not produce a mediocre representative.

“So far, four candidates had stepped down for a candidate based on their convictions and so we pray that more people who know that they do not have the capacity or know that they are not ready to run the election can step down so we can narrow down,” Ilona added.

“What is most important for us is that the best emerge.”

Okeme Adejoh, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), said governance has to do with competency and ability to lead, and assured that the Kogi East aspirants will come out with a formidable force that will serve the people of the state.