Abubakar Idris, son of Former Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, has described his ambition as personal and self conceived, stressing it was not meant to strengthen a political dynasty for his father.
He however said he remains proud of his father’s legacy, bearing in mind his (Ibro) unparalleled achievements while in office.
Abubakar who spoke through his Media Campaign office said his statement was in reaction to an article by some persons tagging his ambition as one building a political empire for his father, and describing the former governor as a ‘King’.
Abubakar “Political barometer of the Confluence State is on the rise. This is hardly a surprise as the state is in a frenzy for a Governorship election that is scheduled to hold in about 4 months, precisely on Saturday Nov. 16, Polical parties are already in a frenzy to sellect their flagbearers from a mottely crowd of aspirants.
“Understandably, the situation has created a new club of overzealous extroverts disguised as informed political analysts and social commentators. Some members of this club lend themselves as palace aides in the court of some aspirants to churn out warped reflections against real or perceived political opponents.
It is in that light that one must view the verbal tirade by one Alhaji Kamarudeen Adesoji against the person of former Governor Alh. Ibrahim Idris and his son Abubakar Ibrahim a Frontline PDP Governorship hopeful going viral on the social media.
“In that article which started as a satire but ended as a tragedy, Kamarudeen accused the former Governor of nepotism, maladministration and is unhappy about his son’s gubernatorial hopes. He accused the elderly Ibrahim of having previously imposed his son as member House of Representatives and Capt Idris Wada as Governor. He also accused Ibrahim Idris of being the Arrow Head of every imaginable evils in the State and even shifted the blame for the leadership failures of both Wada and current Governor Yahaya Bello on his head. He argued that Abubakar’s aspiration is Slavish in every material particular and must be rejected.
“If Kamarudeen had any pretension to sanctimony at the beginning of the work, his sign-off recommendation of a Christian Kogi East candidate with a trained administrative security background as Governor betrayed his paymaster.
“Kamarudeen and his ilk, no doubts have a right to hold an opinion and freely associate as he may deem fit. This right however does not include misleading members of the puplic in the name of opinion moulding. We therefore wish to clean up stains from his brush of infamy and correct as follows:
“Yes, Abubakar is son of former Governor Ibrahim Idris. That has never been in dispute. In his current political mission and desire to contribute to the development of his fatherland, if his only sin is his parentage, then he accepts being ‘guilty as charged.’ He is in fact, proud of his parentage.
“Let it be known however that as that does not run foul of the provisions of our laws, or contradict any moral, cultural and religious principles of our fabrics, no ballyrag tactics will harass or intimidate him out of the Governorship contest.
Reeling out the father’s achievements while in office, the statement stressed, “Contrary to the views expressed by Kamarudeen, Ibro’s stewardship remain a reference point in human face leadership and infrastructure development of our state. Housing estates, roads, State Secretariat, Confluence Stadium, International Market, Specialist Hospital, about 2,000 primary school blocks of four classrooms and offices each were some of his contributions.
“Others are Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, transforming Kogi State University to the best State University in the country, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, up to date payment of WAEC/ NECO fees, bursaries and scholarships, prompt payment of counterpart funds etc, etc are legacies that still make the Ibro years evergreen. Not minding what the architects of infamy and nay Sayers may proclaim, there is no community in this state which does not bear the Ibro signature.
“It is even more instructive that his administration did not obtain any loan or bequeth any to his successor. Instead, he paid the one he met on ground The Kogi people know and value these facts.
“Certainly, former Governor Ibrahim Idris is not a ‘King’ and Abubakar not a ‘Prince’ as wrongly and satirically postulated by Kamarudeen. His roles fit that of an elder-statesman with a keen desire to liberate people from misery and spread fulfilment. If he were to be a monarch, there would not have been need for consultations and dialogue on the deeming political prospects of our dear state.
“Abubakar’s mission in politics is altruistic and self-conceived. His vission is to provide the drive for all Kogites to join hands in rescuing our State from clueless leadership and drastic disintegration. He does not pretend to know all, but believes that in all of us Kogites lie the ideas that can liberate us from the shackles of greed, mismanagement avarice, poverty and transform our state to true greatness.
“Democracy, as they say is a game of numbers. What Abubakar brings to the table are innate qualities to translate his good intentions and dreams to reality. He believes in playing by the rules on a level playing ground and demand same from his fellow aspirants. The final verdict lies with GOD, through you, the good people of Kogi State.”
End.
