For the upcoming Kogi State gubernatorial elections in November, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vetted eleven candidates.
Yomi Awoniyi, Dino Melaye, Idoko Kingsley Ilona, Muhammed Kabiru Usman, and Engineer Musa Wada were all seen visiting the party’s headquarters in zone five of Abuja.
Reuben Atabo, SAN, one of the candidates, spoke to journalists after the screening session and said he was confident of winning the party’s nomination ahead of the other candidates. He also said that given the current situation, he was ready to implement a different style of governance in Kogi State.
“Is the parentage payment the problem in Kogi?” asked Atabo. I’m prepared to improve the story that has been told about Kogi state. The streets are poor. The government’s goal is to create security for the people, but at the moment there is nothing like that. Infrastructure is nonexistent, poverty is widespread.
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On his side, Muhammed Kabiru Usman, a former national legal adviser for the party, said that the Kogi people wanted the PDP to retake power and that as a result, “we are in the process of recovering Kogi for the people.”
We’re unhappy with the way things are going in Kogi State and we want a change. The PDP is seeking a change of administration as a result. We need to unite our people together as a one family in order to combat the insecurity, lack of infrastructure, and lack of cooperation between Kogi State’s major tribes. I also want to bring back the state’s infrastructure development.
Usman said he is already reaching out to the delegates and said, “I am a devoted party member, I have the ability, I have studied the terrain, and I have what It takes to lead the people. I am certain that they will award me the ticket because I know how much the delegates value my services to the party.
Idoko Kingsley Ilonah, another candidate, claimed that although strength comes from God, he is capable of winning the Primaries and leading the party to victory in November.
He also noted that his top priority will be Internally Generated Revenue, saying, “I have lots of plans for the people, but the most important is IGR. I want to generate more IGR, and with enough money we can do the things that the people need. Relying on the Federal Government alone will not get us the desired funds for the development of the state.” He added that there is nothing wrong with consensus if there is equity in the process of selecting the consensus candidate.
