Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has assured his supporters that the All Progressives Congress will win the November governorship election with a wide margin on what he described as “the back of the unprecedented achievements of the party” under his administration.
He said this just as he reiterated the state government’s commitment to cooperating with security agencies in ensuring a peaceful election and a level playing field for all contenders.
Bello made this known in Lokoja, the state capital, on Thursday, when he received the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, who was on a collaboration visit to the governor towards a peaceful election in the state.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, stressed that he would work within the directives of President Bola Tinubu in achieving a violence-free election, noting that his administration had made security a topmost priority since his assumption of office.
He said, “Having done well in all sectors of the economy of the state, particularly in security, we’re very optimistic that it will encourage our people to turn out en masse and exercise their civic duty.
“Our outstanding achievements, which are visible, will speak and work for us, with the greatest of assurances that we will win overwhelmingly. We will cooperate with the Armed Forces in ensuring a peaceful election and also provide a level playing field for all contenders and for the people to turn out en masse to vote.
“Kogi people are peaceful. We have, since the coming of our administration, made the security of lives and properties a priority. We want to assure our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of stability and peace before, during, and after the governorship election.
“We also want to applaud the CDS for measures he has put in place for a peaceful election in the state.”
He commended Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff for the significant reduction in crimes in the North West and South East since the coming of the present administration.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Musa, assured all that the Armed Forces would be fully on the ground towards ensuring a peaceful, violent-free, and credible election in Kogi State.
He described the state as very strategic and important to the country, saying this was the reason the President was very particular about a peaceful election in the state and assured of maximum security to enable people to exercise their civic responsibilities.
“The Armed Forces are here for the people of the State. I urge the people to turn out en masse to vote. The Armed Forces are concerned about ensuring a free and fair election for citizens to enjoy democracy. I therefore want to encourage eligible voters to come out and vote,” he said.