By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
Amidst fanfare and jubilations, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Candidate Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, practically shut down Kabba, the headquarter’s of Kogi West Senatorial District at the party’s campaign rally on Saturday.
The rally,which was attended by APC bigwigs, leaders and stakeholders across the Seven Local Government areas,was tag ” Operations Deliver your wards and units”
The former Deputy Governor of Kogi state,Chief Yomi Owoniyi who recently defected to the ruling APC was not left out at the carnival -like rally.
Others includes; Senator representing Kogi West senatorial District, Senator Steve Karimi, Speaker Kogi state House of assembly, RT Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, national and state lawmakers, commissioners among many.
Delivering his speech ,leader of APC in the state and the executive Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello said “by the virtue of his tremendous and landmark achievements, the ruling party will come victorious in the coming governorship election”he said.
He appreciated the people from all the local government areas in kogi west, who in the last seven years, stood by him during his first and second term in office.
The called on the people of Kogi West to join hands in forming a government that would meet their yearnings and aspirations.
“The achievements of my administration are visible for all to see. This is not time for us to be complacent. We cannot afford to be in the opposition, not with the many plans the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has for Kogi State.
“In the last couple of years, we have built and rebuilt our infrastructure. We have made Kogi money and resources to work for the people. We cannot afford to be dragged back.
“I appeal to the people of Kogi West to vote for the APC to enable consolidation, unity amongst our people and to ensure that the coming generation of the people of Kogi West can be proud of what has been achieved,” the Governor stated.
Highlights of the rally were the receiving of decampees from the PDP and other opposition political parties and the presentation of flag to the APC governorship candidate.
In his own remarks, the zonal coordinator of kogi west, and the former chairman of Ijumu local government area, Hon. Funsho Olumoko noted that the large turnout of party supporters of APC at the zonal campaign rally, which was the first major outing of the party in the area, is a “clear sign that the APC will win the governorship election come November 11″, he said.
We have the mandate of our people in Kogi West that there is no vaccum for opposition political parties. We are poised to deliver maximally for the APC,” the Director General, Kogi West APC Governorship Campaign, Funsho Olumoko, said.
He assured his Excellency, Gov. Bello that with the crowd that gathered today, APC will deliver kogi west with an overwhelming victory.
Also Speaking at kabba township stadium, the Governorship candidate of APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo promised never to disappoint the people, as he vowed to live by his promises to have a united state for all.
He reiterated his vow to deliver his campaign promises to better kogi state, if voted as Governor. “We’ll live by our promises to make sure we have a more united and secure kogi state”.
“ I thereby promise to have a peaceful state, with buoyant economy, provide qualitative education to our children and give financial power to all the 21 local governments with corresponding resources, I will live by my words as I will not tell you what I will not do”, he stated
Ododo, said he was committed to consolidating on the progress and development achieved by Governor Bello.
“I’m prepared to serve and to open a new page of development in the State. Governor Yahaya Bello has laid a solid foundation for the State and I’m poised to ensure sustainability and consolidation,” he said.
The former Deputy Governor of kogi state, Arch. Yomi Awoniyi also assured the Governor and the ruling party, APC that kogi west will give Ahmed Usman Ododo maximum support and produce a very high number of votes.
He said the stakeholders and APC members have form a formidable and united front to deliver Ahmed Ododo and APC in the coming Governorship election.
He advised that people of kogi west cannot be carried away by any political propaganda from any opposition parties or candidate. He however appealed to the people to vote for the ruling party, the APC.
The Director General, Ododo/Joel Campaign Organisation and Minister of Steel, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu thanked the people of kogi west for coming out in large numbers to receive them, adding that everywhere the campaign train of APC visited, they were received with tremendous acceptance for Ododo.
According to him, ” Ahmed Usman Ododo will deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of kogi west, and said he will consolidate on the achievements of Gov. Yahaya Bello, when elected”.
Several political leaders from okun speaking area, and Lokoja-Kogi local government areas joined in canvassing votes for Ododo at the campaign rally.
The Campaign team earlier visited the Obaro of Kabba, HRM, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, who assured of the continuous support of traditional rulers for the State Government.
He stressed that the people would reciprocate the current administration’s good gesture to the people of Kogi West.
