The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf has won the support of the Tiv Community in the State for the All Progressives Congress (APC) by leading the leadership of the community to a meeting with the party’s candidate in the November 11 gubernatorial election, Alhaji Ododo Usman Ahmed in Lokoja.
Speaking in an address during the meeting, the speaker said his decision to present them to Ododo was as a result of the traditional title conferred on him by the body which translates to “The Bridge”.
By the virtue of that position, the Speaker said he is part of the Tiv people as one of their sons, hence the opportunity to give them directive as to their political decision during elections.
Rt Hon Yusuf stressed how the people demonstrated their resolve to back his candidature while contesting for the Assembly position by expending their own resources, including money and efforts to ensure he won his election.
He used used the occasion to promise the resolve of the Tiv in Kogi State, numbering over 50,000 and spread across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state to work for the APC in the gubernatorial election.
While assuring Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman of their unalloyed support in the election, the Tiv traditional rulers and their representatives said their decision to support the APC was as a result of the excellent security situation which has enabled them to go about their farming activities and other business endeavors unmolested.
They eulogized Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his unmatchable achievements in the areas of health, education, security architecture and human capital development in the past seven years.
In his response, Alhaji Ododo who expressed appreciation to the Tiv for their sincerity and valour, said their support for the New Direction administration in the past seven years was noticed, and assured them of continued improvement in security situation across the state when elected as the Executive Governor of Kogi State.
Ododo further assured them that he would continue in Governor Yahaya Bello’s legacy of giving respect and recognition to all other ethnic groups resident in Kogi State when he assumes office next year.
