If the recent publication in the August-September edition of National Image magazine is anything to go by, there are strong indication that the serving senator of Kogi central senatorial district, Nurudeen Abatemi has a low rating on the public scorecard. See report below:
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| Senator Nurudeen |
The dynamics of politicking peaks in Kogi Central Senatorial District and the centre of attraction is the Senatorial seat currently occupied by Senator Nurudeen Abatemi. He wishes to seek for a second term but opposition mounts against his desire. Who are those working to unseat Nurudeen and can he weather the storm?
Our political correspondent writes on the issues involved.
Since the inception of the present political dispensation three and half years ago, Senator Nurudeen Usman Abatemi, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State stands low because of self pride, arrogance and his inability to reach out to the electorates. But the outspoken Senator who criticized past senators for not doing well could not live up to people’s expectation, particularly the issue
of Ekuku dam that he claims to be his priority. Be that as it may, the
dynamics of politics holds that in the power game, there are neither permanent friends nor enemies, but permanent interest. Consequentially, bosom friends or even relatives would at one time or the other be at the opposite ends of the political fug while enemies may fraternize.
Barely ten months to the end of the current term, has the Senatorial seat of Kogi Central, which Nurudeen holds is gradually transforming into one contentious issue. His wish to run for a second term is the epicenter of the raging storm, as opposition within and outside his political party (PDP) swells. His return to the upper house is like asking a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. This challenge from the home front may prove a hard nut for the young Senator to crack.
Those pulling resources to unseat Nurudeen include Honourable Ahmed Ogembe, the current council Chairman, Okene Local Government, Honourable Abdulkarim Salihu, Alhaji Deida Atta, Dr. Moses Wokili. Others are Senator Otaru Ohize, Mr. M.I. Onimisi and Senator Mohammed Ohiare. Those from old Okehi/Adavi have their reasons. The zoning or rotational principle though long in existence was popularized at the onset of the current dispensation. The Okehi/Adavi axis claims that they are standing on a long-standing rotational agreement even though not a written one and that it has always been between old Okene and old Okehi.
The National Image investigations indicate that the old Okehi is making a strong case for the Senatorial seat next year. Recently, leaders from old Okehi axis sent delegation to Governor Idris Wada, intimating the Governor on the issue to favour the old Okehi as Okene has for the last seven years held-on to the seat. As the old Okehi is working fastidiously towards the realization of their dream, the Okene axis is not resting their oars to hold on to the seat.
Recently, Senator Nurudeen constructed a health centre at Ukpake in Ajaokuta LGA as part of his effort to win back the heart of the electorates which he abandoned since he assumed office. However, Senator Nurudeen has failed the electorates based on his earlier promises for an effective change that would impact lives on the majority through provision of social amenities like adequate water supply and reactivation of moribund Ajaokuta steel company which formed his campaign priority before his election.
The most worrisome part of his water-loo is his inaccessibility to people and his disregard to prominent members of Kogi Central district. According to some political observers, Senator Nurudeen lacks good leadership to represent the people in all ramification. For instance, other senators from Kogi struggle and lobby for appointments, contracts and job creation for their constituency to boost economic potentials while he thrives on personal pride.
“Nobody knows or have access to him. His special assistant had to resign because he is not living up to expectation, said a source who do not want his name in print.”
It would be recalled that in 2012, when the Senator led a delegation to Lugard House, with prominent Sons and daughters from Kogi Central he could not present a copy of the speech presented to the governor, instead he read the speech from his cell-phone, which many described as part of the Senator’s non-chalant attitude to constituted authority.
To many electorates, he came into politics as a gambler who wants to make money to the detriment of revered name made by his late father who championed the course of the down-trodden. It was on this reason, the central people came out en-masse to cast their vote for Nurudeen in 2011 in spite all odds, such as the challenges posed by issue of alleged government anointed candidate.
The coming on board of Senator Nurudeen is more of disappointment than blessing to the electorates. As the days draw nearer, the electorates are anxiously waiting for the next general election where they hope to effect change for a better, accessible and pride less leader that would take Kogi Central to the next level in 2015.
Our political correspondent writes on the issues involved.
Since the inception of the present political dispensation three and half years ago, Senator Nurudeen Usman Abatemi, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State stands low because of self pride, arrogance and his inability to reach out to the electorates. But the outspoken Senator who criticized past senators for not doing well could not live up to people’s expectation, particularly the issue
of Ekuku dam that he claims to be his priority. Be that as it may, the
dynamics of politics holds that in the power game, there are neither permanent friends nor enemies, but permanent interest. Consequentially, bosom friends or even relatives would at one time or the other be at the opposite ends of the political fug while enemies may fraternize.
Barely ten months to the end of the current term, has the Senatorial seat of Kogi Central, which Nurudeen holds is gradually transforming into one contentious issue. His wish to run for a second term is the epicenter of the raging storm, as opposition within and outside his political party (PDP) swells. His return to the upper house is like asking a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. This challenge from the home front may prove a hard nut for the young Senator to crack.
Those pulling resources to unseat Nurudeen include Honourable Ahmed Ogembe, the current council Chairman, Okene Local Government, Honourable Abdulkarim Salihu, Alhaji Deida Atta, Dr. Moses Wokili. Others are Senator Otaru Ohize, Mr. M.I. Onimisi and Senator Mohammed Ohiare. Those from old Okehi/Adavi have their reasons. The zoning or rotational principle though long in existence was popularized at the onset of the current dispensation. The Okehi/Adavi axis claims that they are standing on a long-standing rotational agreement even though not a written one and that it has always been between old Okene and old Okehi.
The National Image investigations indicate that the old Okehi is making a strong case for the Senatorial seat next year. Recently, leaders from old Okehi axis sent delegation to Governor Idris Wada, intimating the Governor on the issue to favour the old Okehi as Okene has for the last seven years held-on to the seat. As the old Okehi is working fastidiously towards the realization of their dream, the Okene axis is not resting their oars to hold on to the seat.
Recently, Senator Nurudeen constructed a health centre at Ukpake in Ajaokuta LGA as part of his effort to win back the heart of the electorates which he abandoned since he assumed office. However, Senator Nurudeen has failed the electorates based on his earlier promises for an effective change that would impact lives on the majority through provision of social amenities like adequate water supply and reactivation of moribund Ajaokuta steel company which formed his campaign priority before his election.
The most worrisome part of his water-loo is his inaccessibility to people and his disregard to prominent members of Kogi Central district. According to some political observers, Senator Nurudeen lacks good leadership to represent the people in all ramification. For instance, other senators from Kogi struggle and lobby for appointments, contracts and job creation for their constituency to boost economic potentials while he thrives on personal pride.
“Nobody knows or have access to him. His special assistant had to resign because he is not living up to expectation, said a source who do not want his name in print.”
It would be recalled that in 2012, when the Senator led a delegation to Lugard House, with prominent Sons and daughters from Kogi Central he could not present a copy of the speech presented to the governor, instead he read the speech from his cell-phone, which many described as part of the Senator’s non-chalant attitude to constituted authority.
To many electorates, he came into politics as a gambler who wants to make money to the detriment of revered name made by his late father who championed the course of the down-trodden. It was on this reason, the central people came out en-masse to cast their vote for Nurudeen in 2011 in spite all odds, such as the challenges posed by issue of alleged government anointed candidate.
The coming on board of Senator Nurudeen is more of disappointment than blessing to the electorates. As the days draw nearer, the electorates are anxiously waiting for the next general election where they hope to effect change for a better, accessible and pride less leader that would take Kogi Central to the next level in 2015.
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