In the lead-up to the gubernatorial election in Kogi State scheduled for November 11, an unprecedented and massive crowd has been observed at rallies hosted by the dominant political parties. These parties include the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). All three major parties are claiming to have the upper hand.
Nevertheless, the key question remains whether the large crowds will translate into electoral victory on polling day. With only nine days left until the election, these parties show no signs of slowing down, while members of some smaller parties are switching allegiances.
Findings from DAILY POST suggest that the immense turnout at some campaign rallies is largely due to local support and hometown advantage. For instance, a crowd of over 30,000 people attended Ahmed Ododo’s rally in Okene, and both SDP and PDP also witnessed substantial gatherings.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Evangelist Kingsley Femi Fanwo, asserted that the attendees at the APC’s rallies in Okene came voluntarily, emphasizing that no payments were made to attract them.
At the SDP rally in Abocho, Dekina Local Government Area, Mr. Daniel Ijele, the campaign spokesperson, attributed the large turnout to supporters who came out of love for their local candidate, Murtala Ajaka, describing it as “the mother of all rallies.”
Dino Melaye of the PDP also showcased his popularity in Ankpa, a region where his Deputy (female) gubernatorial candidate originates from. The rally in Ankpa was similarly enormous.
Political analysts have pointed out that the Kogi West senatorial district will play a crucial role in determining the election outcome, particularly the Okun-speaking area and Lokoja-Koto region from the seven local government areas.
However, some experts, like Ahmed Muhammed and Hamza Aliyu, caution that the massive crowds at political rallies may not necessarily translate into actual votes on election day. They argue that politicians often financially incentivize people to attend campaign rallies without necessarily having sound plans for the electorate. They call for a shift towards issue-based campaigns and political parties with well-defined ideologies to enhance the electoral system.
There are concerns about election-related violence in Kogi East, with the Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) urging security agencies to ensure a peaceful gubernatorial election on November 11 and avoid a repeat of past violent incidents.
Comrade Idris Abdul Miliki, an activist in Kogi State, expressed disappointment that voters seem to be prioritizing ethnicity over competence and ideology when choosing candidates. He emphasized the need to prevent violence and underscored the importance of campaigning based on merit and competence rather than ethnicity.