Elders, youth and members of APC of Igala origin have unanimously and unequivocally thrown their support and pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the KOGI state governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The Forum which is under the aegis of Igala Elders, Youth and APC Forum spread across the nine local government areas of Kogi-East.
According to the leader of the group, Mallam Ahmed Attah, the decision to go public with this statement was reached after thorough consultations with, and sampling of highly considered opinions of elders, youth and APC faithfuls in the district.
According to the secretary of the forum Okolo Simon, who is also a lawyer said: ” as loyal and committed party members, absolutely detribalised and mindful of the fact that democracy works best when, regardless of petty and narrow political motives that actuate all men, we support our party’s decision that is from all intents and purposes soundly and legally defensible”, stressing that the decision of the party to replace late icon,Prince Abubakar Audu who had died amid a fiercely contested November 21 governorship election was prudent and based on solid and reasoned legal grounds and principles.
Part of the statement also said: ” Kogi East holds that we completely support and align with the decision of the national leadership of the party and will continue, as loyal and committed party members, to defend the interests and advance the integrity of our party whist supporting the government of his Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello as it is best possible in all circumstances.
” The Forum also pledges, confident in the campaign promises of his Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to ensure that Kogi-East receives unprecedented development and attention hitherto deprived of her from the soon to be inaugurated government of Yahaya Bello.
“As a group whose goal is to advance the welfare and interests of our people, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the divisive agenda of some members of APC that is self-styled as ” Kogi-East Stakeholders” desperately seeking to realise the mandate freely given by all Kogites to late Prince Abubakar Audu which death has made impossible and unrealistic but has been politically and legally perfected in Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
“And we finally hereby call on all Kogites regardless of ethnic, religious and political sympathies to support the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello irrespective of age as his government will be a government of the people, by the people and for the people anchored on unity and opportunity for all.”
