Political stakeholders from Kogi East have expressed strong displeasure over the recent political maneuvers of Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, the former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 Kogi State governorship election.
Muri's 2027 Ambition
Ajaka, commonly known as Muri within Kogi political circles, announced over the weekend his intention to contest the Kogi East senatorial district election in 2027. He made this known in a personally signed statement released last Friday. Sources indicate that to solidify his plans, he visited former Governor Yahaya Bello to pledge allegiance to the Kogi State APC leader.
Reactions from Okai
Hon Usman Austin Okai, a media analyst, public affairs commentator, and former House of Representatives candidate for Dekina/Bassa federal constituency, criticized Muri's actions. "Contesting an election is not a crime anywhere. Tendering an apology for running against Yahaya Bello's favorite candidate in Kogi East is laughable, and Muritala Ajaka's call for 'peace' in Kogi State is a misplaced priority," Okai stated.
Okai, publisher of The Observers Times online newspaper, added, "The people have moved on; many who worked for Muri in 2023 have already gone their separate ways. I don't know who he thinks he is addressing. Our support for him—and the votes he received—was a referendum against Yahaya Bello and his failed administration. We were looking for any alternative at all costs, and he happened to be available. It was a strategic calculation. I don't see why Muritala would write such a lengthy letter and then block people from commenting on his Facebook page. Could it be that he knows his words will attract negative responses from the public? Muri should open his comment section and face the court of public opinion; it is a key element in democratic history."
Okai further remarked, "The more he (Muri) writes, the more he provokes people by reminding them of the past. Muri should enjoy his new 'marriage,' and leave us alone. This is somebody who won an election, they stole it from you, and yet you are tendering an apology to the very person who took your mandate away. It's like catching a man having an affair with your wife on your own matrimonial bed, and instead of responding in anger, you go to the kitchen to prepare him tea and bread to give him the energy to hit harder. I am ashamed to say the least."
Okutepa SAN's Response
Jibrin Okutepa SAN also weighed in, saying, "It is sad and highly offensive to good conscience and senses to see Muri apologize to Yahaya Bello for the mandate freely given to him that was stolen. More painful and regrettable is the fact that some of us offered our legal services pro bono which was never appreciated. It is sad that most of our politicians are not ready to stand for the people. It is sad."
