By Olusegun Olanrewaju

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged all the members of All Progressives Congress (APC) to join hands in securing victory for the party in the coming November elections.

According to him, the election is for the party to win, with the palpable absence of opposition in the state.

Abiodun, who is the chairman of the National Campaign Council (NCC) for the Kogi State governorship election, also assured APC supporters that the national leaders of the party across the country would work together to provide all the necessary support to ensure an overwhelming victory for the APC governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, on November 11, 2023.

Describing Kogi as an APC state, he said from the reality on the ground, it is clear that there is no vacancy for any other party at the Lord Lugard House.
Speaking in Lokoja, the governor noted that with the inauguration of the campaign council, election victory has begun in Kogi State.

He also commended the resilience and hard work of Governor Yahaya Bello, which he said had led to the restoration of peace and security in the state.

“Governor Yahaya Bello’s outstanding achievements in virtually all the critical sectors of the state are visible for all to see, and I assure you that the next APC governor will build on these achievements in the interest of the good people of Kogi State,” he added.

The National Campaign Council Chairman said with the result of the last general election held in the state, it was certain that the APC would beat any opposition party in the governorship poll.
He urged all APC members to join hands in securing victory for the party, stressing that the election was for the party to win.

The governor described the election as the first test for the President Bola Tinubu and the national chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Wike promises fair deal for FCTA medical doctors

Also speaking, the co-chairman of the campaign council and governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the opposition political parties to look elsewhere for votes, insisting that Kogi was a no-go area for opposition parties in the November governorship election.

The Lagos State governor urged the people of Kogi State not to be deceived by the rantings of opposition parties, saying there is no alternative to the APC, “a party that has the interest of the people at heart”.
On his part, the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, said the people of Kogi State had resolved to stay with the APC.

According to him, Kogi State has fared better under the APC-led administration.

In his remarks, Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for leading the way in the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

He promised not to disappoint him in the provision of gains of democracy to the people of Kogi State.

•Don’t panic, PDP assures electorate

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured its members and people of Kogi State not to panic as it will repeat the 2003 defeat of the then incumbent government of the state.

This is as it encouraged members and electorate not be intimidated by the harassment and threats by the opposition parties, promised protection of the people, before, during and after the polls.

A former governor and chieftain of the party, Ibrahim Idris, made the assurance over the weekend when he unveiled the candidate of the party, Dino Melaye, and his deputy Hajia Habibat Mohammed Deen to the people of Kogi East.

Idris noted that the choice of Dino and his Deputy was meticulously chosen as he got overwhelming votes during the primary election, adding that the candidate has the capacity, competence and confidence to take the state to the promise land.

He said just as the PDP was approaching the 2003 governorship election from a disadvantaged position, but worked hard to come victorious, saying Senator Dino Melaye will win the poll.

He decried the standard of living of the people occasioned by the maladministration of the APC, stressing that the PDP will rescue the people and put the state back to its glorious era.

He called on the people of the Kogi East to oil the PDP winning structures and mobilise electorate to vote enmasse for the party.

According to him the people have suffered enough in the hand of the ruling APC and urge them to take their destiny in their hands to vote out the present administration which is trying to come back through the back door.

He commended leaders of the zone for their support of the party even at the risk of their livelihood, saying there is going to be light after the tunnel.

In a remark, Senator Dino Melaye and his deputy, thanked the people for the show of love for him and the party and promised not to disappoint them, if voted into office.

He noted that as his name is “Daniel” who tamed the lion in its den, so will he repeat the same feat in the forthcoming election.

He urged them not to be bought over for a pot of morsel, which the government has failed to provide good governance for them in the last eight years.

He said, he is not coming as Governor of Igala, Ebira, Okun, Christian or Muslim, but to provide needed leadership for Kogi state.

He said his administration will restore full salary to the local government councils, provide infrastructures, healthcare, food sufficiently, qualitative education and security for the state.