Elders of the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have noted the importance of filling the vacant position created as a result of the demise of late minister, James Ocholi.
They tasked President Muhammadu Buhari on the need for a replacement of Ocholi who died as minister of state for Labour and Employment.
It will be recalled that Ocholi, a Senoir Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who represented Kogi State in the Federal Executive Council, FEC, died on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway alongside his wife and second son on March 6, in what is believed to be an accident caused by a burst tyre.
In a letter signed by Isa Sani Omolori on behalf of Kogi State’s APC Elder’s Vangauard, and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, they expressed concern that many months after the sudden death of the minister who represented the slot of Kogi State in line with the principle of Federal Character, a replacement is yet to be made.
The elders noted the importance of filling the vacant position created as a result of the demise of the late minister, stating that since the late James Ocholi was of the defunct Congress For Progressive Change, CPC, it will only be fair that the slot is retained by the CPC in the state.
They however, warned the president not to appoint someone who is not a member of the legacy parties that formed the APC in Kogi State as Ocholi’s replacement.
The statement reads, “Since the demise of our beloved minister, James Ocholi, there has been a general clamour for his replacement from various interest groups in Kogi Sate, but there is need to be aware of the gentleman agreement reached during the formation of APC, chaired by late Prince Abubakar Audu. “Since James Ocholi of blessed memory is only few months into his tenure, it is only fair, that his slot goes back to CPC.
“A meeting of CPC was convened and we zeroed on three CPC members from the three senatorial districts. Also, any appointment should recognise the geographical equation for equity.
“The President is urged to be guided by the agreed zoning formula of sharing political positions in the state as fashioned by the late party leader, Prince Abubakar Audu.”
The Kogi elders listed three nominees from which President Buhari should choose the replacement, among whom are Alhaji Idris M. Usman, state coordinator, Buhari Solidarity Organisation (BSO) who they said has been in the opposition for the past 17 years, Mallam Ahmed Kokoli and Hon Jibril Yusuf.
Comments