AHEAD of the Kogi State governorship election slated for November 16, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and incumbent governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, has received the political structure of the late former governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, and member of the House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke.
The event, which occurred on Thursday at the glasshouse of the Government House, Lokoja, witnessed a large turnout of supporters of the late political icon who declared their support for Governor Bello’s re-election.
In his remarks, Hon. Faleke, the leader of the group and former deputy governorship candidate of APC in the 2015 elections, noted that the day was unique and that the people at the event were representatives of the group from the three senatorial districts in the state.
He stated that they were happy to be part of the event, adding that they were neither forced nor financially influenced as falsely peddled in some sections of the media.
Hon. Faleke said his political leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, taught him that those that helped you to win an election or were with you when you lose should not be left behind.
He said they were here because they believed in and loved their state, adding that they had learnt the fact that power belongs to God.
He said they believe that Governor Bello was qualified to deliver a better future for Kogi State, noting that both houses were one but only decided to stay back and watch.
He noted that the PDP government, which he said had ruled the state for 16 years “without any visible evidence of progress”, were sent packing by the APC in 2015 under the leadership of the late Prince Abubakar Audu.
Faleke noted that PDP’s 16 years in government was mistakes galore, noting that the party has nothing it could use to campaign against Governor Bello in this electioneering season.
He pointed out that although the Bello administration had also made a few mistakes which the governor has agreed to and has corrected, he (Governor) would win and move the state to the next level.
While assuring Senator Smart Adeyemi, the APC candidate in the Kogi West senatorial election rerun, that his election would be a walkover, he told the Audu/Faleke team that they must learn to forgive and move on.
Hajiya Halimat Alfa, another leader of the Audu/Faleke structure from Kogi East, in her remarks affirmed that those who were peddling the Igala agenda were selfish leaders who want to retain power within their family.
She said that Governor Bello, through his gestures to the people of Kogi East, has clearly shown that he was actually pursuing the actual Igala progressive agenda.
The party leader noted that the Igala Agenda peddled by those in the opposition was a deceit, noting that Governor Bello was the only conveyor of the Igala agenda that meant well for the people of Kogi East
Governor Bello in his address said that no building can stand without its foundation, saying that he would never cease to pay tribute to those who laid the party’s foundation in the state.
He noted that the late Prince Audu and those that were with him were the founding fathers and members of the party, and he inherited the structure from them
Governor Bello while thanking Honourable Faleke and Hajiya Halimat Alfa for their large heart, noted that great leaders do not fight to the finish but always create an avenue for reconciliation
The Governor also opined that when leaders reconcile after a long period of misunderstanding, the people of the state should expect great things to unfold.
He noted that Kogi State has moved beyond ethnicity, class differences and inequality, adding that his government was building a new Kogi State that is fair, equal and just to all.
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Suleiman Abdullahi and former Governor of Bauchi State, Barrister Abdullahi Mohammed, who both spoke at the event assured the Governor of victory as well as their staunch support in actualising it.
They thanked the leadership of the Audu/Faleke group for choosing the people and the party above selfish interests, noting that their action was a further assurance of victory at the polls. (The Nation)
