It is no longer news that Dr. Tom Ohikere has thrown his hat into the ring to contest for Kogi Central Senatorial elections, what is news is, who is Tom Ohikere?
Dr. Ohikere was a two term Commissioner for Information under Idris Wada administration under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was a founding father to the formation of All Progressives Congress in Kogi State and Head, Media and Publicity to Prince Abubakar Audu Campaign Organization.
Dr. Ohikere was a close ally to the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello until they parted ways during the APC primaries in which Prince Audu Abubakar won to contest for the governorship election under the platform of APC.
READ ALSO: Police parades 30 armed robbers, kidnappers, others for criminal activities in Kogi State
As a loyal party member who is committed to the growth of democracy, he decided to shift his tent with Prince Audu having won in the primary elections. The election was won by Prince Audu but he died few hours to the announcement of his victory.
Dr. Ohikere became a torn in the flesh of the PDP stalwarts with his championing The Broom Platform, the voice of the APC machines that sent PDP packing in the 2015 general elections. The Broom Platform was a media movement spearheaded and funded by him to campaign for the Buhari presidency, and he succeeded.
Unfortunately, Dr. Ohikere was schemed out of Kogi politics with threats to his life and family from Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration. He became a subject of attacks from friends and foes in Kogi. He had to run for his dear life along with his family to Abuja.
Dr. Ohikere who is not a man who will shy away from good governance in Kogi State was in faraway Abuja still held to his principle never to give up until his attackers began to reason with him that he was fighting for a just cause, for good governance, equal rights and justice in his home state.
Though the truth is always bitter, Kogites have come to realise that the man, Ohikere is not fighting for self-recognition or self-aggrandisement but fighting for good governance, justice, peace and welfare of his people.
Dr. Ohikere is a strategist per excellence, he knows when to strike a chord, and he is a suspense strategist, a committed and loyal party man.
READ ALSO: Read the nasty experience of Kemi Olunloyo (The Blogger) in Port=Harcourt prison
Now that he has come out of his shell, we hope all his critics can now reason with him on why he condemned his former close ally, Governor Yahaya Bello who was considered as the worst governor last year with his utmost failure in governance, unpaid salaries and pensions, mass sack of civil servants, kidnappings, robberies, underdevelopment, arrogance, impunity and other vices.
Ohikere has all the sterling qualities of a leader who cares for the emancipation of the downtrodden masses.
Now that Dr. Tom Ohikere has thrown his hat into the ring to contest for Senatorial seat in Kogi Central, we hope electorates in Kogi will now rally round him knowing fully well that if elected he will fight for the interest of the masses in his Senatorial District.
Dr. Tom Ohikere is a man to beat in the next senatorial elections.
FULL TEXT OF DR. TOM OHIKERE’S DECLARATION TO OFFER HIMSELF FOR THE SERVICE OF KOGI STATE
READ ALSO: Kogi State joins league of agricultural revolution with unveiling of ”Confluence Rice”
“17th January,2018
My dear brothers and sisters, APC members, family, political associates, media operators and the general public,
LETTER OF INTENT TO CONTEST IN THE FORTHCOMING SENATORIAL ELECTION OF KOGI CENTRAL.
I am writing to formally inform you of my intention to contest in the senatorial election of Kogi Central in the forthcoming general election. This is in view of the recently released timetable of the election by the Independent National Election Commission, INEC and the time constraints.
I am an Ebiraman and an indigene of Okene local government area, with all the prerequisites for the election.
My purpose in seeking the seat in the National Assembly is incumbent on all of us. It does not need to be a career but instead, something we all contribute as a moral obligation.
It is important for me to note that I am running against an incumbent. I do not believe that he has served for any other reason than to work to make Kogi Central a better place. Whether he was able to accomplish it is left to history. I appreciate him and thank him for his services.
Now is the time for others to step forward to continue and improve the senatorial district.
As a resident in Kogi state since it’s creation in 1991 and a two time commissioner for information in the state, I found myself very fortunate to understand the dynamics of the state. I have been dismayed and saddened at the amount of political divisions between the ” politicians “, the led and their inability to progress the state, especially the Kogi Central.
READ ALSO: Resign now! Dino Melaye, Faleke, PDP others tell Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello
Kogi Central provides a great deal of economic potentials that are sometimes taken for granted by the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is important for the potentialities to be properly and deliberately harnessed for the economic prosperity of the nation and the people of the district. The nation is in tough economic times and need Kogi Central as a viable economic destination that can provide a potent alternative for the diversification of the monolithic economic base of the country.
For over 30 years, there has been no real push for the final take off of the Ajaokuta steel company. It’s time for us to actually pursue and entice corporations and the required measures that will activate the industry.
There has also been no follow through on handling of the infrastructural deficit in Kogi Central. Less than 30% of the people have access to pipe borne water, most roads are not motor-able, there is gross infrastructural decay in health and education sectors, amongst other factors which includes insecurity of lives and properties.
Our elected officials jobs should be to ensure our community’s safety, promote a positive environment for families to live in, students to learn in and businesses to grow in, but regrettably, the elected officials have failed on the noble responsibility to the people.
We are known to be a community filled with talented and highly educated people. We therefore have what it takes to make Kogi Central a thriving, economically viable, sustainable environment for our families, students, seasonal residents and others.
READ ALSO: The Tragedy of Accidental Governor in Kogi
This is my third time of running for the position of a senator as I was the senatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in 2003 and participated fully in the PDP primary election in 2011. So more than ever , I think it’s time, it’s time to bring new ideas, progressive thinking and most importantly, progressive actions. An able and effective senator for the district can ensure these results.
In announcing my intentions, I also announce that I have no other hidden political ambitions or agenda.
In the coming days, we shall announce our campaign plans and would be appointing coordinators across the zone before commencing the official campaigns. I therefore encourage anyone with sincerity of purpose and commitment to the growth of Kogi Central with questions and comments to inbox me.
Thanks for your anticipated support, while I remain at your disposal.
Sincerely Yours,
Dr Tom Ohikere.â€
www.sojworld.com © January 20, 2018
Leave a Reply