A political pressure group, Okun4Gov Strategy Committee, says Okunland should produce the next Kogi governor.

The group said this in a statement jointly signed by its coordinator, Mike Ikupolati and co-coordinator, Sola Enikanolaye, in Lokoja.

It said the emergence of Dino Melaye as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and Leke Abejide as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was a right step in the right direction.

“We are very delighted to know that Senator Dino Melaye and Honourable Leke Abejide have won their parties’ primaries for the Governorship tickets of Kogi on the platforms of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress respectively,” stated the group. “Your victories have filled us with immense joy as they give hope and much-needed impetus to our quest for an Okun person to become governor for the first time in the history of our state.”

The group urged the Okun people to “close ranks to achieve success in our quest.”

It added, “It is our hope that the larger interest of Okunland, in particular, and Kogi state, in general, will be the primary focus,” stressing that the clamour for a governor of Okun extraction was not from an entitlement point of view but for equity, fairness and justice.

“We are, by this medium, extending our hands of fellowship to our brothers in the other senatorial districts of the state while seeking their understanding and support for our quest,” explained the group. “Once again, our heartfelt congratulations to Senator Dino Melaye and Elder Leke Abejide on their party’s primary elections victory. May the dream of an Okun person becoming governor be a reality this time.”

(NAN)