Panic in PDP as APC crisscrosses Kogi for votes »

Palpable tension has engulfed the camp of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as loyalists, leaders and bigwigs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) continued to storm the nooks and crannies of the state to canvass votes for the re-election of Governor Yahaya Bello.

A former PDP loyalists who spoke to InsideStory on condition of anonymity said; “It’s clear Kogi people have made up their minds to take their destiny in their own hands by sensibly supporting Governor Bello and his deputy, Chief Edward Onoja whom they have known their antecedents.

“The way and manner supporters of GYB/CEDO are going about their campaigns, we don’t need any sooth sayer to reveal their readiness and chances of emerging victorious at the polls,” he said.

“I have made a switch, I remain strong and focused in the on-going efforts to bring about an overwhelming victory for APC to afford them the chance to deliver more dividends that could bring about a boost in the state’s socio-economic development, healthcare, employment, and other deliverable services to the people,” he added.

According to him, there is no other better prepared candidate for the Kogi gubernatorial race scheduled for next week Saturday in the state than APC of Governor Bello and Edward Onoja.

He described the duo as “Best combinations ready for the contest, who could move the state beyond where it is presently, having learnt the art of governance, with a renewed commitment to make living more convenient for the common man through prompt payment of salaries which has been the only slog against his administration.

“I told some PDP leaders that the chances of winning is lean. PDP doesn’t have what it takes to win APC for now in Kogi State. They are only conducting a rally of defeat as every indication points to Governor Bello winning this election,” he concluded.

He however expressed fears of possible clashes from overzealous party supporters and hoped for calm during, before and after the election.

Right from the day INEC formerly declared campaigns open, the APC in Kogi State has engaged in aggressive grassroot mobilization for the election, as support groups from different angles of the state are seen entering the farthest and thickest parts to canvass votes for the reelection of Governor Bello.

Opinion polls so far conducted by independent bodies put the incumbent governor Yahaya Bello ahead of other candidates in the race, a revelation that has caused much concern for the PDP.