The Okun Development Association (ODA) recently held a crucial meeting on 1st July 2023 to discuss various agendas, with the focus primarily on the upcoming Kogi State governorship election in November.
The meeting, attended by eleven members of the executive council, including a former Secretary General and their duly appointed replacement, proved to be a turning point for the Okun community.
Of all the topics discussed, the most significant was the proposition to put forth an Okun candidate for the governorship role in 2023. After careful deliberation and consideration of three suggested modalities, the executive council unanimously adopted one criterion, as proposed by the President, to assess the suitability of the candidates.
The criteria included factors such as financial capacity, competence, character, acceptability/public perception, responsiveness, antecedent/public service, political platform, and popularity. Each participant was then entrusted with the responsibility of rating the three individual candidates from Kogi West based on these yardsticks.
An elaborate voting process followed, and the only candidate who secured high scores in all the areas was Senator Dino Melaye. The weighted assessment showcased Melaye’s financial capacity, competence, character, acceptability/public perception, responsiveness, antecedent/public service, political platform, and popularity, making him the apparent choice for the Okun community.
The results, revealed to the members as a percentage, was solely witnessed by the ODA President, who had access to the numerical figures and individual candidate scores. In the aftermath of the assessment, the President outlined the subsequent steps the ODA plans to undertake.
Firstly, the materials used for the evaluation, along with the assessed results, will be safely guarded by the Returning Officer. Secondly, the three candidates will be notified and invited to meet with the ODA executive council in Abuja at the earliest opportunity. Thirdly, it was decided that the ODA aims to engage all three candidates in a meaningful discussion leading to resolutions aligned with the outcome of the assessment. Lastly, the ODA intends to consult with various stakeholders regarding the decision made during the meeting.
With the endorsement of Senator Dino Melaye as the Okun Conscious Candidate for the November 2023 governorship election, the Okun Development Association has taken a significant stride towards realizing their aspirations. As the journey continues, the outcomes of this meeting are bound to shape the future political landscape in Kogi State.
