– Political realignments are ongoing across the nation ahead of the 2019 general elections
– One state that is politically charged ahead of the elections is Kogi state
– The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is leaving no stone upturned to stamp its political authority in the state
Eminent political figures and supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), numbering over 2000, have decamped to the APC in Olamaboro local government of Kogi state.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that the defection of the political bigwigs have tilted political calculations in favour of the APC in Kogi state ahead of the 2019 elections.
The defectors told journalists that their move to the APC is a demonstration of gratitude to the administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, “for the unparalleled development he has brought to the council and the love he has shown to Igalaland in general.”
Led by a former chairman in the local government, Honourable Yunusa Gabriel Olofu, they said their decision to leave the PDP and other parties was informed by the tremendous accelerated infrastructural and human capital advancement the area has witnessed within the short period of Bello’s government in Kogi state.
These are exciting times for the APC in Kogi state. Photo credit: The Guardian
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Olofu also served as member representing Olamaboro state constituency at the Kogi state House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011.
He said the people of the local government had never encountered such monumental positive turnaround in their political fortunes since the creation of the state.
According to him, the PDP was dead in the local government, adding that they have decided to pitch their tent with the progressives in the APC.
On his part, the member representing the constituency at the state House of Assembly, Honourable Linus Ojochenemi Enenche, welcomed the new members and commended their courage for the decision.
He promised that the party would treat them as equals, stressing that politics was about interest.
In her goodwill message, the Secretary to Kogi state government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade Arike, reminded the gathering of the important role of women in politics, saying they contribute immensely towards ensuring victory for any party of their choice.
She assured them of the commitment of the Yahaya Bello government to providing all parts of the state with requisite dividends of democracy for overall development of the state.
In their separate remarks, the state APC women leader, Hajia Rabi Emere and a party stalwart, Alhaji Ibrahim Linco, praised the present administration for its commitment towards grassroots development and reiterated their commitments to the APC course in the state.
Alhaji Linco particularly justified the reason every Igala son and daughter should support the governor, stressing that he has shown his love for the people by giving their sons opportunities at the federal level in form of ministerial and Resident Electoral Commission appointments.
“What is happening today is like an earthquake. It is a justifiable decision by our people to decamp to the APC because the governor has shown us that he is detribalized.
“The ministerial and Resident Electoral Commissioner positions he gave to our sons are positions he could have given to anyone, but he chose to give it to our sons, so we must support him,” he said.
The defectors were full of praise for Governor Yahaya Bello
While presenting the APC flag to the decampees, the state deputy governor, Honourable Simon Achuba, assured them of more dividends of democracy in the area and encouraged them to sell the idea of their new party so as to convince others to join the APC.
Meanwhile, the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Andy Uba, has debunked the rumours making the rounds in Anambra state that he is considering quitting his membership of the APC.
Senator Uba who emerged second with 931 votes at the just concluded APC primary election in the state, addressed journalists at his country home in Uga, Aguata local government on Monday, August 28 to dispel the rumours.
His words: “Let’s put the record straight, I have no intention of leaving our great party APC for another party. I have always supported the party, so please people should stop spreading false news that I am planning to defect to another party. I am still a member of the APC.”
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In the interview below with ZENITHBLOG.com TV, APC chieftain, Comrade Timi Frank warns the party to resolve its internal bickering before 2019:
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