Why We Rejoice at Impending Victory of Ododo »

Celebration has ever pervaded the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) since on 14th April this year when the former Kogi State Auditor General for Local Government, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman (OAU) emerged as its governorship candidate for the November 11th election. The APC and its entire campaign structure has never for once become perturbed as to the glaring victory awaiting to be sealed in November. First, we considered the conduct of the primary election as another result of mini-referendum well delivered in favour and affirmation of the sterling leadership qualities Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.

While Fancy Media Team continues to shower endless encomium on other contestants who quickly and wholeheartedly adopted the product of the system, it’s important to note that the cumulative political engagements of these selfless leaders have dramatically brought more fortunes to the party. Who will have the likes of the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward David Onoja; the Accountant General, Alhaji Momoh Jibril; Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Idris Asiru; Commissioner for for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Deedat Ozigi Momodu, Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Pharmacist Asuku Jamiu and a host of other eminent personalities on his side and would not roll out drums for a victory that is abundantly obvious?

We equally smile and heave a sigh of relief at the productive political activities of Comrade Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege (Fancy) who has proven to be a very dependable ally of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman. Comrade Fancy, now dubbed as the ‘Star Boy of the Confluence’ has proved his mettle in the state’s political terrain by stealthily penetrating the core strongholds of the opposition, thereby winning several converts for the APC. Through Comrade Fancy, countless number of cluster political groups, youths and women associations have endorsed Alhaji Ododo whilst they commissioned various campaign offices for the task of delivering Ododo/Oyibo joint ticket.

Let’s quickly highlight some of the major gains that caused us to be getting ready for inauguration on 27th January, 2024 through the grace of God.

Just recently and against the pessimistic expectations of the major opposition figures and pursuers of selfish interest in the name ‘ajeda,’ the son of the former Governor of Kogi State who actually left the stage for the current Governor to come in, Alhaji Shaibu Abubakar Audu’s name was read out on the floor of Nigerian Senate as the minister nominee from the state, which is a far cry from the fake news that have been sponsored for a while by agents of selfishness.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi West Senatorial District recently merged its structure with the APC. The same step was taken by the National Rescue Mission (NRM). In fact, the governorship candidate of the NRM, Mallam Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu who has now withdrawn for APC’s Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman reportedly said he collapsed his structure into that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) because the candidate is well groomed in the Governor Yahaya Bello’s New Direction agenda and well versed in its philosophy for the historic transformation and consolidation of Kogi State. This flowy affirmation of APC’s candidate by former members of opposition parties deepens our excitement at the impending victory.

Just recently, a staunch member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and two time member of House of Representatives from Okehi Local Government Area, Hon. A.K Salihu lead other former aspirants to the Lugard House and informed the White Lion of their willingness to deliver block votes to the APC. The former Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Momohjimoh Lawal also ditched his former party (PDP) as he led thousands of his supporters to the APC. This is aside hundreds of former political appointees that served in the government of Alhaji Idris Ichalla Wada who came and pledged their support for the APC and its candidates.

Moreso, the recent triumphant entry of the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Dr Salisu Ogbo into Ankpa Local Government Area affirmed the revelation of some of the patriotic leaders and elders from Kogi East Senatorial District of the imminent collapse of any sectional agenda. Days after the conclusion of the grassroot mobilisation and campaigns by Dr Ogbo, the story is still being told with different angles to it. However, one fact is crystal clear, Ankpa is locked down for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election.

We dare to rejoice because aside the verifiable projects that have been executed by the current administration of Governor Yahaya Bello which are more than enough for campaigns, the APC structure is intact in all the local government areas and wards across the state unlike some political parties that have been pitiably constrained to play ethnic politics of bitterness. In all the three Senatorial Districts, APC has Senators representing them. These Senators will work for the APC. What about members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly, Local Government Chairmen, APC Local Government and Ward Executives? These resourceful people are deeply involved in the quest to consolidate on the gains made by the current administration by voting Alhaji Ododo.

The remaining weary opposition members are very much aware of their impending resounding defeat by the APC, hence their recent concerted but failed attempt at churning out spurious news to sway unsuspecting members of the public. This unfortunate new but negative strategy of creating unnecessary tension through falsehood is an affirmation of our earlier claim that they are strange bed fellows who are only bound by emotion rather than reason.

So far, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman has maintained a very high level of decency and decorum in the public space. He weighs his words before they are being uttered. Alhaji Ododo sees all sections of the Confluence State as being very important partners whose contributions are needed for sustainable development and not enemy as alluded by some jesters in Kogi State political firmament.

We have since activated our mood for celebration of our impending victory. Join the APC today to seal and make it unchallengeable when the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC declares our candidate as winner.