"Apologize for Poor Outing in last Guber, Unite for Future Polls" Joel Salifu Urges Kogi East APC Leaders »

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu, has called on leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East to come together and extend an apology to the party for their inadequate support and loyalty during the last gubernatorial election on November 11, 2023.

Addressing the party leaders and stakeholders in Kogi East at Lokoja the state capital, the Deputy Governor emphasized the need for the zone to sincerely apologize to the party through its leaders for their lack of support in the 2023 governorship election. He stressed that the upcoming council election will serve as a test of their commitment to the party and their determination to play a significant role in future political endeavors.

Furthermore, he pointed out that many of those who opposed the party were people who had greatly benefited from the system. He emphasized that those who undermine the system will inevitably face consequences.

Emphasizing the importance of party unity to overcome challenges in future elections, Deputy Governor Joel Salifu urged the leaders to be transparent and inclusive in their approach, recognizing that grassroots support is paramount in politics at every level.

He called on the leaders to stand behind the party’s candidates in the upcoming Chairmanship election on October 19th across the nine local governments, expressing confidence in the APC’s victory in the polls.

The Deputy Governor maintained that the administration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is divinely ordained, stressing the necessity for all appointees to demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the Governor and the leader of the party in the state, former Governor Yahaya Bello.

He questioned the loyalty of individuals who benefited from the party’s support only to turn against it, warning that such actions will have repercussions in the long run.

In his opening remarks, the Acting Zonal Chairman of the APC in Kogi East, Hon. Mikhail Suleiman Mohammed, congratulated the government appointees while urging them to engage with the people at the grassroots. He highlighted the significance of their grassroots connections and their commitment to delivering results at the ward and polling unit levels.

Acknowledging the poor performance of Kogi East in the last election, he called on the leaders to work diligently towards the 2027 election to demonstrate their gratitude for their appointments.

He encouraged leaders to attract new members to the party, emphasizing that the APC is inclusive and accommodating regardless of age, beliefs, or background.

The need for unity among party stakeholders in Kogi East to drive development in the region was emphasized by Prof. Salisu Usman Ogbo, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja. He urged leaders to set aside personal interests and avoid internal conflicts that could weaken the party’s position.

Likewise, Prof Stephen Ocheni the former Minister for State, Labor and Employment, acknowledged the previous election’s shortcomings in the zone but expressed optimism that the October election would showcase unity and readiness for the 2027 election. He urged leaders to welcome returning members who have shown interest in rejoining the party.

The Auditor General of Kogi State, Hon. Yakubu Okala, acknowledged the party’s past mistakes in Kogi East, urging those seeking forgiveness to refrain from repeating their errors.

Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho advocated for the restructuring of the party, calling on current leaders to reach out to former party members who defected to the opposition. He emphasized the importance of unity, collaboration, and respect among leaders to strengthen the party.

Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola, emphasized the importance of unity within the party, while cautioning leaders to scrutinize the intentions of returning members to prevent collaboration with saboteurs.

The Director General of Kogi State Community Watch and Ancillary Matters, Hon. Muhammed Nasiru Alfa, called for transparency and honesty among party members to foster growth.

On his part, the member representing Dekina/Bassa in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Paul Gowon Idris, emphasized the need for party unity to promote peace and development in the zone.