The Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the November 2023 election, Alhaji Uthsman Ododo’s has declared that the jostles for number one position in the state is never a do or die affair for him.
Ododo a forensic accountant made the declaration at the consultation and familiarization visit of the party’s delegation, led by the state APC Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Bello to Ebira Community Association in Lagos on Sunday.
The governorship candidate maintained that: “Project Kogi agenda is what we hold so dare, we are in the race which does not worth the blood of anyone, but for continuation of development, security, agricultural growth, education and assurance of peace of mind to ensure greatness of Kogi.
“We promise an issue based campaign, our government will be for all not minding the affiliation and political leanings, our traditional leaders will get better collaboration for the desired pace of development in the state”. Ododo said.
Alhaji Bello former Commissioner Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who led the delegation note that the ban on campaigns are yet to be lifted, “ we are here to consult and familiarize with Kogites resident in Lagos because we are aware they can influence their people back home.
“In our delegation we have two sons of the former Governor Abubarkar Audu which signifies our united and formidable view point about governance, all seven aspirants in the APC primaries are together now likewise our member elect at the Federal House Representatives.
“They all resolved to work for the victory of Ododo.” Bello said.
He added that Kogi polity need now than ever before a continuum, so as to sustain a template of unity, peace and even development across the state as laid by the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello.
“Ododo has been in the system for the past seven years. He has been an integral part of Yahaya Bello’s government. We are very confident he will do all to govern the state right.
“Past leaders created rancor but Yahaya Bello restored unity. We must not allow any agenda to spoil that.” Bello said.
.
For Mr. Kingsley Femi Fanwo the Kogi State Commissioner of Information and Communications the APC’s political fortune has been brightened more given Senator Dino Melaye’s emergence as their major contender at poll.
Fanwo described the development as one that gladdens their hearts owing the confidence of an eventual victory, he gave the hint in a chat with newsmen after the parley, he made it expressly clear that Dino over time had never secured his party’s ticket in a free and fair contest let alone winning election.
“We have been rejoicing ever since he emerged because Dino is our wife, we have continued to beat him repeatedly more so his party that gave him the ticket has collapsed.
“Dino Melaye has never won a free and fair election so we are not surprised that he emerged as PDP candidate, rather we have been rejoicing because we are confident of winning. We are here to mobilize our people, we have been working in spite of being the party in power.
Hajia Fatima Bello the National President of Women in politics and Women for SWAGA foundation in Lagos State admonished the party’s candidate on the need to consider the youths and women.
She maintained that the youths and women should be accorded priority; we want 35 per cent in his government because they have been setback for so long. Just as Asiwaju promised the youths that he will not fail them.
Bello also appealed to women to be much involved in the polity so as to help contribute their quota in development of Kogi State.
Another SWAGA Coordinator Mrs. Raliat Oyetunji quickly added that Kogi is yet to take it’s pride place in spite of been a confluence state. She urged the guber candidate to leverage on the presence of sons and daughters of Kogi in the diaspora as well as well placed ones in the country.
“We all need to walk the talk, Kogi needs that youths,women and SME are what will guarantee holistic development, women also need 35 percent involvement in your government to help place Kogi strategically on the map being a gateway to the North, South and East of Nigeria.”
In the views of Alhaja Raliat Anako while giving goodwill message on behalf of Ebira communities in Lagos, affirmed that Kogi needs continuation in an APC led government for growth, “a change in government will drag development backwards in Kogi, see what Lagos State has been able to achieve due to continuation, we can also attain more than that height”.