The ancient town of Kogi-Koton Karfe was on Sunday besieged by thousands of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who stormed the town for the official flag–off of its campaign in Kogi Local Government Area.
The ceremony held at Central Primary School, Koton Karfe, received notable members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) among which are Hon Shaban Ohinoyi Shuaibu, former Kogi Local Government Chairman, alongside Haruna Azukutayni and Hon. Khadijat Ma’ama amongst others.
In his address, Barr. Muhammed Abubakar Tanko Osuku, Chairman of the Finance Committee for Kogi LGA Campaign Committee, expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record a resounding victory across all the 11 Wards of Kogi Local Government Area.
He commended the party leadership, particularly Hon. Abubakar Bashir Gegu, for prioritizing the interests of the Local Government and urged party faithfuls to work tirelessly towards securing an overwhelming victory for the APC.
Senator Ado Shuaibu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made a passionate appeal to the people of Kogi Local Government to throw their weight behind the party in the upcoming local government elections.
He made the appeal at the flag–off ceremony and urged party stalwarts and faithful to replicate the same level of support they showed during the general elections, stressing that APC has no opposition in Kogi LGA.
Sen. Shuaibu added that massive turnout on the 19th October would not only ensure a landslide victory but also surpass previous records.
Sen. Shuaibu took the opportunity to praise Hon. Engr. Bashir Gegu for his selfless leadership and dedication to grassroots development.
In his goodwill remarks, Hon. Angulu Hukuma commended the party’s leadership and re-echoed that his participation in politics is aimed at attracting development.
He charged the chairmanship candidate and councillors to provide visionary leadership, urging them to prioritize the progress and development of the local government and cautioned against the misuse of public funds.
Other speakers at the ceremony attributed the massive defection of notable PDP stalwarts and their supporters to the APC’s impressive performances.
Earlier, the Local Government party chairman, Hon Abubakar Sadiq Onah commended party stakeholders for their continued support adding that with the flag off of the APC campaign, the stage is now set for politicking to begin and for candidates to market the party across the nooks and crannies of the Local Government based on the APC superlative performance indicators.
Onah called on APC supporters in the 11 wards of the Local Government to unite in order that the party can deliver a crushing victory in the forthcoming council election.
The State Deputy Party Chairman, Honorable Salihu Aliyu whilst receiving decampees into the APC folds encouraged decampees not to be swayed by the antics of the few, but to be firm and supportive to the growth and development of the Local Government.
He assured the new members that they would have equal opportunities and rights within the party, with their political rewards tied to their level of commitment.
He commended Engr. Bashir Gegu for displaying uncommon leadership qualities that have meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Hon. Maryam Onwayaubu Suleiman expressed satisfaction with the women’s participation in politics just as she described the mass turn–out of the women as a clear testament to the leadership ingenuity and political sagacity of the party Leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Hon. Shaban Shuaibu Ohinoyi noted that their decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) is driven by the desire to attract development to the local government and expressed support for the chairmanship candidate who he said hails from his political zone (Zone–C).
He urged party faithfuls to refrain from threatening and hostile behavior to promoting unity and cooperation within the party.
In his vote of thanks, the Member Representing Kogi Koton Karfe State Constituency, Hon. Idris Aliyu Maikudi expressed optimism in the party leadership, noting that a power shift is achievable.
He encouraged electorates to surpass the Local Government’s previous polling results in the next council elections and urged APC supporters, particularly contestants, to prepare for the political battle ahead while encouraging disgruntled party members to put aside their differences and work towards the party’s overwhelming victory.
Highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic presentation of flags to Abdulmalik Musa, the APC chairmanship candidate and 11 ward councillorship candidates by the state deputy chairman of the party.
–E/New Media
Kogi LGA Campaign Committee
6/10/24
