Wada’s greatest headache is APC’s governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, an old war horse. Abubakar, a former banker, is well tested and acquainted with the state’s political climate. In 1992, he became the first civilian governor of the state under the platform of the defunct Nigerian Republican Convention (NRC).
He literally transformed the infrastructural landscape of Kogi State to the amazement of all. In 22 months, Audu’s magic wand traversed critical sectors such as housing, health, road construction, health and industry. Under his watch, the state established three different housing schemes for public officers, consisting of over 1,500 housing units in Lokoja.
There was also the transformation of Lokoja Township with asphalt road, street lights, aesthetic roundabouts, the construction of inter-township and rural roads, over 75 electrification schemes and 50 water projects.
He also founded Kogi State Polytechnic, a television station, radio station, both AM and FM, a state newspaper and transformed the colonial residence of Lord Lugard into an ultra modern Government House Complex.
He also embarked on construction of office blocks for ministries as the new state had no office accommodation, the construction of shopping arcade complex to enhance commercial activities among others.
From 1999-2003, the former governor also spearheaded landmark projects such as construction of a specialist hospital; the five star confluence Beach Hotel, 250 units Housing Estate, a Sport Complex and 25 other medical Institutions.
He also created a Special Government Girls Secondary School on Student exchange programme, 350 borehole schemes, 300 kilometers of township roads, the procurement of 100 transit buses and completion of 40 rural electrification projects.
“No one has come close to his achievements in office,” Mohammed Attah, a public commentator stated. “It was under him that the people witnessed real physical projects. We were all amazed that a man could do so much. He was commissioning projects almost on weekly basis.
“The State became a construction site and life was good for many Kogi indigenes and residents. We were all proud to come from the state. In all fairness, the man did so much and people still talk about him today with nostalgia.”
Audu has also said he is on a rescue mission from a state he left in 2003 vibrant. He explained he will reverse the 12-year misfortunes foisted on the state by the PDP. Many believe he has the Midas touch to lift Kogi again. That perception and his track record of performance are working well for him.
Though he has lost out four times in its bid to wrestle power from the PDP, Audu seems to have hit a goldmine in his party structure. The APC is the darling bride of the electorates with its change mantra. Most states in the Federation have since switched to the change option offered by the party. The tsunami effect on Kogi will surely work in favour of Audu.
He is also seen as a grass mobiliser with heavy war chest to prosecute political battles. With the APC’s influence spreading across the state, observers say Audu might just be on his way back to power.
Audu, on his part, is confident Kogi voters will key into the change sweeping across the nation. He said Wada and the PDP have destroyed the state, which he said is in need on urgent rescue.
Curled from The Nation
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