Excitement in Kogi over Ologbondiyan’s emergence as national publicity secretary

It was jubilation galore yesterday in Kogi State, especially among the media community, as Kolawole Ologbondiyan, who was editor with Thisday newspaper and media aide to former Senate President David Mark, emerged National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The leader of the party in Kogi West, who is also the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Yomi Awoniyi, described Ologbondiyan’s emergence as that of fixing a typical square peg in a square hole.

He said his victory was divine, especially having been very articulate as a journalist and as a political scientist too.

“I think the PDP will benefit immensely from his wealth of experience and his contacts in the media. We in Kogi are very grateful. I will like to use this opportunity as the leader from Kogi West where he hails from to thank all the delegates who voted and made Kola to win.

“His emergence is divine and is very well-deserved. With the help of you journalists, please support him, help him, guide him so that he can serve us best.”

In Lokoja, the premises of NUJ was thrown into jubilation, as journalists, including politicians, mostly PDP members and sympathisers across party divides, trooped in to rejoice over Ologbondiyan’s victory at the poll.

Journalists, who observed night vigil at the NUJ Press Centre, to pray and monitor the congress, celebrated Ologbondiyan’s victory till Sunday morning.

Also, a chieftain of the party in Lokoja, Mr. Kabiru Yusuf, simply known as KBY, described the emergence of the ace politician as a round peg in a round hole.

The Chairman of the Kogi State Council of NUJ, Adeiza Momojimoh, expressed gratitude to the PDP delegates who found Ologbondiyan worthy of his new position in the party.

He said Ologbondiyan’s success was not only a victory for the people of Kogi State, but also a pride to the entire journalists in the state.

Former Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Momojimoh Lawal, while expressing confidence in the capability of Ologbondiyan, advised the new leadership of the party to guide against impunity and imposition of candidates in the party.

He, however, expressed optimism that with the new crop of national executive members of the party, the dark days of impunity is over.

However, Kabba, the home-town of Ologbondiyan, was equally alive with jubilation, as youths and party supporters celebrated the victory of their kinsman as member of the national executive of the PDP.

Meanwhile, Ologbondiyan, in a telephone chat, said his victory at the poll was not for him alone, but for other aspirants who contested with him.

He said he was ready to tap from their experience and reclaim the glory of the party.