Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Thursday stormed the ancient City of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital charging the electorate to vote for the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dino Melaye in the November 11 Governorship election.
Atiku, who berated the Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello for allegedly denying the PDP the use of Confluence Stadium Lokoja to conduct their campaign rally said it was time to sack the ruling APC to put an end to unfavorable policies in Kogi State.
“They denied us the use of a 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. 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 Senator Dino Melaye promised to govern the state with the fear of Kogi.
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 that 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.”
In their various remark, a former Governor of Kogi State Capt. Idris Wada said despite the numerous achievements of the PDP, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has set the state backward with poverty, weak economy and underdevelopment.
According to him, 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 was no percentage salaries. Salaries are paid as at when due as workers continue to smile to the bank. There was massive development during the tenure of the People’s 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.
He stated further that the PDP candidate will deliver on the mandate that was given in Kogi State.
Adding his voice, former National Chairman of 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.
. TheWitness
