Okun Development Association (ODA), the apex non-political group in Okunland, the Yoruba speaking area of Kogi State, yesterday dissociated itself from publications linking it with the adoption of one of the gubernatorial aspirants in the forthcoming elections, Dr Yekeen Habeeb, as its consensus candidate from among the aspirants from the West and Central senatorial districts of the state.
ODA stated that it is out of place for any aspirant to claim that he has been adopted, as the committee set up to screen every All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants has not sat.
Secretary to the ODA Search and Screening Committee, Dr. Tunde Orosayin, said: “We have what we call Kogi Central and West Forum for Equity and Justice, KCWFEJ, which was constituted to search and screen all suitable aspirants towards the emergence of a single gubernatorial candidate between West and Central zones.
“The committee just submitted its report to a plenary held at Reverton Hotel, in Lokoja, on Saturday. The plenary has agreed that the Elders Forum should engage all the APC aspirants towards arriving at an acceptable candidate.
“To put the record right, the national leadership of ODA met twice in General J.O. Osanupin’s house in Mpape Abuja where His Excellency, Clarence Olafemi, was recommended as Okun consensus candidate, while trying to pacify others to see the need to cooperate in the interest of Okun people.”