It was gathered that more than 30 persons have shown interest to obtain the forms but so far only 18 have paid.
The party which some highly NWC sources confirmed have gone broke since after the elections because of the inability of some its governors to pay salaries were said to be excited over the rage of the aspirants that have shown interest so far.
Some of the aspirants included the former governor of the state, who we gathered obtained forms for about eight of the aspirants, Prince Abubakar Audu, Yahaya Bello, Sen. Nicholas Yahaya, Sani Halilu Shuaibu, Suleman Baba Ali, Air Vice Marshall Saliu Atawodi, Muhammad Abdullahi, Sen. Nuruddeen Abatemi Usman and Haj. Hadiza Ibrahim.
Others include Yakubu Muhammad, Clarence Olafemi, Suleman Ejeh Abutu, Sunday Ejibo, Suleman Lanre Ipinmisho, Dr. Tim Nda Diche, Aabeeb Abdullahi Yakeen, Rotimi Yakub Obadofin and Babatunde Irukera.
Prince Audu has however described some of his co-contestants as young school leavers without required experience to govern the state. Adding that Kogi does not need a learn on the job governor.
Other aspirants who besieged the party’s National secretariat on Wednesday was Dr. Yaqeen Abdullahi Habeed who said he’s endowed with the vision and the purpose to harness the resources of the state to the benefits of the people.
Addressing Journalists after picking his expression of interest and nomination forms, Yaqeen who decried the high rate of unemployment, robbery and kidnapping attributed the ills affecting the state to bad governance.
“I believe and so strongly that Kogi State is endowed with highly competent and capable people. What is required is sincere leadership with a vision and a purpose to harness these resources so as to realize a just Kogi State that is secure, stable and prosperous with the highest possible standards, which everyone can be proud of.
Yaqeen who said he abandoned his lucrative job to save the people of Kogi state promised to bring foreign investors from United States of America in the areas of partnership to provide modern and affordable of health care to the people of the state as well as reviving the Ajaokuta steel company in the state.
Also speaking, Tim Da Dichie who also paid the sum of N5.5 million to pick the forms gave three cardinal objectives that will be the hallmark of his government if elected, according to him, improvements on the infrastructure in the state, wealth creation and enable peaceful coexistence amongst the people of the state.
Another aspirant, Suleiman Lanre Ipinmisho who had one time served as Director General of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) promised to make transparency to be his watchword.
He said “a state being run like Kogi is the black sheep of the nation and we must not allow it to continue.
He urged the media to enlightened Nigerians to get government functionaries to be accountable to the mandate given to them.
For Hon. Haliru Sani Shuaibu, his blueprint for the state include Social security, human development, Creation of jobs, and Agricultural development.”
Reacting to the issue of power shift in the state, he said it require a roundtable discussion, saying the APC has no reason at this stage to discuss that.
“Right now what Kogi need is not power shift but who can lead the state to the promised land.”