Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has warned the state’s citizens against ethnicity and emphasised that tribal politics have no place in this day and age before the November 11 governorship election.
During the All Progressive Congress (APC) Zonal Campaign Rally on Saturday in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of the state, the governor made this statement.
However, Bello warned against using ethnic politics when addressing at the event. Bello is endorsing an APC governorship candidate who belongs to the same Ebira tribe as him.
Politics based on ethnicity is self-serving. The Igala agenda emphasises prosperity, growth, and the creation of jobs. Be not fooled. The APC will triumph handily. At the polls, we shall prevail. Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo is a gentlemanly individual with relevant experience in both politics and public service.
“When we took office, we found a state split along racial and other fault lines. All those fault lines have been successfully cemented. The discussion of ethnicity is passé today. Mediocrity and ethnicity have been replaced by fairness, equity, and justice.
“We have raised women and children from all backgrounds. We have created and dispersed initiatives, infrastructure, and empowerment everywhere. The governor said, “We cannot afford to return to our dark days because the state has accomplished so much.
Shuaibu Audu, the minister of steel development, claimed that in relation to the Nov. 11 governorship election, ethnicity is a completely moot point in the state.
The Kogi Agenda is the only agenda for the APC, according to Audu, the director general of the Kogi APC governorship campaign council. He also stated that the party’s candidate is coming to develop and consolidate on Gov. Yahaya Bello’s admirable legacy.
“The Kogi Agenda is the only agenda for the APC. The Party represents the interests of the entire nation. Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has a plan for how the entire state should flourish. He will expand and strengthen Gov. Yahaya Bello’s legacies.
“Today, we are pleased that Kogi is the state in Northern Nigeria with the highest level of security. The APC’s agricultural revolution would give our thronging youths a tonne of work. The APC is attempting to increase production of various agricultural products, especially in Kogi East.
“I implore you to back Alhaji Ododo and the APC. The success of Kogi state as it develops Ajaokuta Steel is important to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who designated me as Minister of Steel Development.
“This will make it possible to offer a significant number of jobs to the young of our beloved state. He has requested that we not turn the state over to an opposition or hustler government.
The president is worried about the situation and has stated that we cannot afford to give the opposition control of a strategic state, the speaker continued.
Abdullahi Bello, the state chairman of the APC, expressed delight with the high participation and enthusiasm shown by Kogi East residents and advised them to keep up the pace to create the conditions for a landslide victory in the governorship election.
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Sen. Jibrin Echocho, who represents Kogi East in the National Assembly, also urged the region’s residents who had not yet joined the APC to do so, pointing out that elections are won on the basis of party structures.
“Let me make a strong plea to our people to support the APC. Our candidate can find work. On the basis of party structures, elections are won. In the general election, Kogi East voters chose the APC. In the upcoming election, we cannot afford to act differently.
“Gov. Yahaya Bello has established a strong foundation for the development of human capital throughout the state. His accomplishments played a significant role in the election. Let’s all work together to guarantee the APC’s overall triumph, Echocho remarked.
Speaking to the crowd, Mr. Edward Onoja, the deputy governor of Kogi, asked the people of Kogi East to vote on the basis of continuity and forbade the use of emotions, stating that political parties, not tribes, religions, or regions, are the focus of elections.
Usman Ododo, the APC governorship candidate, addressed the record-breaking throng and stated that his goals were to advance the state’s people, progress, and unity.
“Let me make a plea to the Kogi East population. Let’s create a stronger, more cohesive Kogi state that we can all be proud of. Let’s make this election about our people, their growth, our unity, and their prosperity. I’m ready to be a servant leader with no obstacles, I fervently appeal,” he stated.
Bello was congratulated for his excellent accomplishments by the APC governorship candidate, who also pledged to continue the legacies.
He notably complimented Tinubu for his great leadership and commitment to the growth and development of Kogi and Nigeria generally, while cautioning Igala people against engaging in ethnic and minority politics.
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