All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign Council in Kogi state on Wednesday said that the conversation in the state today is about the competence and capability of candidates for the November 11, 2023 governorship elections rather than that of power rotation or sharing.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the spokesperson of the Kogi APC campaign council, Kingsley Fanwo, urged people to be at the forefront of de-emphasising the issue of ‘where is he coming from’ and lay emphasis on competence, experience and readiness of people contesting the election.
Fanwo, who is also the Kogi state commissioner for Information and Communication, said that the present administration of Governor Yahaya Bello has been fair to other parts of the state in terms of projects, appointments, policies.
He said, “We’ve revolved conversation around the rotation, power sharing, etc without giving very serious cognisance to the issue of competence and capacity.
“Kogi today is united behind their governor, who has been very fair in the sharing of projects, policies, appointments etc.
“Every part of the state is being carried along. Even the Okun people that should be making the loudest noise about this just got a state university in Kabba done by another person from another senatorial district.
“And when you look at power configuration in Kogi state and the terms that have been spent by different senatorial districts, you’ll agree with me that the Kogi Eastern senatorial district was there for more than 16 years. The Kogi central has just finished eight years and they’re gunning for another one. It’s widely believed that the people of Kogi West would be able to have their due turn after eight years, by the grace of God, of Ahmed Usman Ododo. So, it’s about competence and it’s about what the government is able to do for the people. People want continuity and consolidation.”
Also speaking on the recent security operations in some parts of Kogi East senatorial district, especially in Dekina Local Government Area, the APC governorship campaign council spokesperson condemned the arrest of chieftains of the party “for reasons unknown” and called for their release.
“Our chieftains were not involved in any act inimical to the peace of the state and shouldn’t have been subjected to such treatment.
“In as much as we subscribe to the peaceful and free poll, we also call for responsible conduct on the part of law enforcement agencies in such a way that innocent citizens are not unnecessarily punished for the sins of others. We wouldn’t condone or defend any act of lawlessness, but we make bold to say that our leaders and members that were arrested and detained did not deserve to be subjected to such treatment as they are innocent. We call on security agencies to release them unconditionally so that they can be reunited with their families.
“It is not in doubt as to the candidates fanning the embers of violence and division. A member of the All Progressives Congress was murdered in cold blood at Kotonkarfe for daring to wear a face cap with the logo of the All Progressives Congress on the day the bloodsuckers were in town. It is sad that security agencies have not informed us how far they have gone in apprehending the trigger-happy thugs that committed the murder.
“We therefore salute advocacy groups who have not lost their voices in seeking justice for Khadija. Acts of terrorism must not be allowed in politics and the surest way to arrest the trend of political violence is to ensure perpetrators are brought to book. Those who killed Khadija have continued to think they can step on her blood to power. Security agencies must prove that every life is important.”
The people also called on Kogites to troop out on November 11 to participate in the governorship election, saying that, “We must speak unmistakably that as a people, we believe in consolidation and continuity of the laudable achievements of the present administration.”
