The Chief Administrator of Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Hon. Patrick Danjuma Onogu, on Saturday, attended an extraordinary meeting of major stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at Conference Hall of the MHWUN Secretariat, Ajaka.
The crucial meeting was attended by prominent serving and former top political office holders including the immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, Former Rep member, Hon. Ismail Inah Husseini, House of Assembly member, Bar. Cosmas Ilemona Atabor and the Special Adviser to the Governor on House of Assembly Matters, Hon. Haruna Yusuf.
Others include the SSA to the Governor on Education and Primary Schools, Hon. Usman Jibrin Courage, State Board Members including Hon. Danjuma Odiba, Elders Advisory Council Chairman, Hon. Akogu Onuche, Former NUJ Chairman, Hon. Ali Atabor, Members of the Igalamela/Odolu LGA Administrative Team, Igalamela-Odolu APC Chairman, Hon. Paul Abalaka, Former Education Secretary and House of Assembly aspirant, Hon. Adama Musa Baba, Former Councilors Hon. Philemon Achimugu and Hon. Zakeri Adama; APC LG and Wards Exco, serving and former notable public officials as well as distinguished Women, Elders and Youths political groups and a host of others.
Unity, commitment and loyalty to the APC course in addition to commendations and appreciations topped the agenda for the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Administrator of Igalamela-Odolu local government area, Hon. Patrick Onogu appreciated the effort of the stakeholders and members of the party for attending the meeting in large numbers.
He assured them of his “readiness to support all the activities of the party”. He also the also thanked them for leading the party to “remarkable victory” during the presidential, nation and state assembly elections in Kogi state.
He called on the people to reaffirm their support for the APC and Governor Yahaya Bello whose second term, he assured “will be even more fruitful than the first”.
Similarly, the Chairman of the party in the local government, Hon. Paul Abalaka stated that the meeting was deemed necessary after close consultations by stakeholders if the party.
Hon. Abalaka thanked the members of the party for their loyalty. “Running, walking, sunshine, rainfall, daylight, nightfall and all forms of personal sacrifices were endured to record victories and liberation for our people in all the of the last primaries and general elections. For this, you all have my highest commendations and appreciation”.
He tasked them to reenergise their support ahead of the forth coming governorship election in Kogi state. “We did it for President Buhari, Senator Isah Jibrin, Rep. David Zachariah and our own Bar. Cosmas Atabor.
The time has come again. We must mobilise massively and do it for Alhaji Yahaya Bello”. He added.
In his remark, Assembly Member, Bar. Cosmas Ilemona Atabor called on stakeholders to ensure that such gatherings occur more frequently. He reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of the local government.
“I made some campaign promises to the people before I got elected. God will give me the grace to fulfil all of them.
My constituency office will be open at any moment to create easy access to me as a person and my office as your legislator.
In his remark, former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni stated that “I sincerely thank all of you for all your efforts and congratulate all of us on the success of the last elections.
We need to remain committed to the activities of our party,” he said.
According to Prof. Ocheni, “there are many of us that have been together since the inception of the administration of GYB. As a matter of fact the first meeting of GYB in Idah Federal Constituency was hosted by my humble self. The Deputy Governor was in attendance. We agreed to remain committed, loyal and consistent to GYB and APC. May God continue to crown our efforts with success. I want to thank the members of our party and our people for the special support given to me throughout my appointment as Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I want us to understand that the appointment of a minister is the prerogative of Mr. President. That is not our primary motive of membership of the party.
“I want to commend in a very special way, with all appreciation, our own governor, Governor Yahaya Bello for his tremendous support that made it possible for me to be appointed minister.”
Former House of Assembly and House of Representatives member, Hon. Ismaila Inah Husseini stated that “there is no reason why we must falter in any form in our support for the APC. APC is the ruling party in Nigeria and Kogi State today. In politics, we must support the party that we are sure will be beneficial to our people.
“As I speak to you, APC is the party that has been seen, recognised and accepted by the generality of the people.
“You may recall that when the PDP was in power, thuggery and violence held sway in the local government. That has been put to rest and our people can now sleep with both eyes closed. That is one major reason why we must continue to support the APC”.
He also noted road construction, major drainages, new Igalamela/Odolu secretariat among others as major achievements which must motivate the people to remain committed to the APC and Governor Yahaya Bello.
