Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar invaded the historic city of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Thursday to urge voters to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 11 governorship election.
Atiku, who chastised Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for reportedly refusing the PDP use of Confluence Stadium Lokoja for a campaign rally, said it was time to fire the governing APC to put a stop to unfavorable policies in the state.
“They denied us the use of the stadium in Osun State and we later used the party office for our rally. In the end, the PDP sacked them from the government house. Now they denied us the use of the Confluence Stadium Lokoja and booked all the hotels just to stop us from coming here. Despite what they did, you all still came to the party secretariat to show solidarity and support for Senator Dino Melaye”.
According to him, the emergence of Dino Melaye as Governor will bring about good governance and development in Kogi State.
“Dino is committed, courageous and well-focused. He doesn’t kill people like what the present administration is doing in Kogi State. I am appealing to you to come out and vote for people and defend your vote” Atiku stated.
Addressing a large crowd of supporters, the PDP Governorship candidate, Dino Melaye, promised to govern the state with the fear of God.
His words, “Out of the 18 governorship candidates vying for the position of Governor, I am the most educated, experienced and exposed. It is now time to put an end to percentage salaries, corruption, retrenchment and non-payment of pensions in Kogi State. Every Civil Servant was unjustly sacked by Yahaya Bello. Within three months we shall reinstate them all. Don’t vote for any small political party that does not have a political fallopian tube.
“I want the world to note that the present Government in Kogi blocked all the venues for us to hold this rally. Our people coming from Kogi East were stopped and are being shot by those loyal to this government. Despite what they did, our supporters still came here because they were tired of Governor Bello’s tyranny.
In their various remarks, a former Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada said despite the numerous achievements of the PDP, the ruling All Progressives Congress has set the state backwards with poverty, weak economy and underdevelopment.
He said the seven and half years of the APC is a waste in Kogi State, adding that it is time for Kogites to put an end to bad leadership.
“During my tenure, there were no percentage salaries. Salaries were paid as at when due as workers continued to smile at the bank. There was massive development during the tenure of the Peoples Democratic Party. But now, the reverse is the case. It is time for the People State to liberate themselves from dictatorship. They should come out and vote for Dino Melaye”
On his part, a former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Senator Tunde Ogbeha said it is time for the people to rescue Kogi State from bad governance.
Ogbeha used the opportunity to admonish the people of Kogi State not to be intimidated, assuring supporters that their security is guaranteed on election day.
Adding his voice, former National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), and security agencies to conduct a free and fair election.
He said Kogi State is in dire need of repositioning, hence the need for the people to come out and vote for his party on election day.
