Koton Karfe Conscience Group has commended Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for ensuring a level playing ground for all aspirants in the recently conducted All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Kogi local government.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday, the group said the conduct and result of House of Assembly primary election in Kogi (Koton Karfe) state constituency was a test of capacity and political might.
The statement which was signed by the President of the association, Abdulahi DanAsabe and the Secretary, Abdulrahman Jibril said the result of the primary election reflects the true wishes of Koton Karfe electorate.
The group berated attempts by supporters of the defeated aspirant, Musa Muhammed Adamana to discredit the exercise.
“We were amused to read the distorted press statement released by an unknown group, Kogi/ Koton-Karfe Network for Change, in a desperate attempt to discredit the recent primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the state assembly seat in the area.
“The primary election won by Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Tanko was the freest and fairest exercise in the state. Delegates cast their votes without intimidation of any sort. The exercise was credible, free and fair.
“The announcement of the primary election result was greeted by spontaneous jubilation across the local government. The choice of Hon. Mohammed Tanko as APC candidate elicited widespread applause. He is the choice of the masses.
“The claims by the known cabal that the decision of some leaders of the party in the area to work with a leading traditional ruler to arm twist the delegates to vote for Hon. Tanko led to free for all fight during the primary election is a dubious lie! They stormed the venue of the election with over one hundred thugs to disrupt the exercise when it became obvious they cannot win. The hoodlums were dispelled by security agents at the exercise.
“The were just too desperate. As if their lives depends solely on this election. The same cabal went about dropping the name of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in a desperate bid to hoodwink the delegates. They lied to delegates that Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello had anointed their candidate but their lies were exposed by party leaders who rightly informed the people that the Governor has no anointed candidate. They resorted to violence after they learnt that Governor Bello has no anointed candidate.
“Curiously, their preferred candidate joined the race barely two months ago while the winner, Tanko, has been working round the clock in the last two years. The result could not have been otherwise.
“The people of Koto are very sensitive. If anyone suppress tries to them, they will naturally resist it. Imposition is not part of Koto political culture.
“Without doubt, the good people of Koton-Karfe LGA will reciprocate this good gesture from Governor Yahaya Bello at the appropriate time. For allowing the people to choose their preferred candidate is a good gesture that will not be forgotten soon,” they said.
The group argued that the choice of Tanko was very easy for the people because of existing culture of fairness and equity among them.
