The Social Democratic Party (SDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State are gearing up for the upcoming gubernatorial elections scheduled for November 11, 2023.
These political parties have concluded the process of selecting their candidates to vie for the coveted position.
Kogi is among the three states set to hold gubernatorial elections later this year. These elections carry particular significance due to previous court cases surrounding the state’s past elections.
Senator Dino Melaye has emerged as the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ahmed Usman-Ododo is set to represent the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Alhaji Murtala Ajaka Yakubu has secured the ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for this crucial contest after resigning from the APC.
Murtala Yakubu Ajaka
Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka was the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He sent his resignation letter to the party on April 17th, three days after the Kogi State governorship primary in which he was a front-line contestant alongside others. Ajaka thanked the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC for the healthy working relationship he had with the party.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has chosen Alh. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant who was disqualified from running, as its candidate for the November 11 Kogi governorship election.
Murtala Yakubu Ajaka was forbidden from running in the APC primary election in Lokoja because his entry into the race may disrupt the dynamics ahead of the crucial election in Kogi state.
Murtala Ajaka’s candidacy for governor of Kogi State is built around an innovative program that aims to transform Kogi State into a dynamic hub of opportunity.
He envisions a future in which everyone has access to high-quality education and healthcare, as well as a business climate that is welcoming to entrepreneurs and promotes the creation of new employment and increased economic activity.
Senator Dino Melaye
In a resounding triumph, former Senator Dino Melaye emerged as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after defeating his closest rival, Kabiru Usman, in the primary election. Melaye garnered 313 votes, leaving Usman with 127 votes.
Melaye’s educational journey, which began at Abdulaziz Attah Memorial College in Okene, culminated in a Geography degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 2000, followed by a Law degree from Baze University in 2021.
Having previously represented Kogi West senatorial district in the Senate, Melaye faced defeat at the hands of Senator Smart Adeyemi of the APC in 2019. Prior to his Senate tenure, he served as a member of the House of Representatives.
Born on January 7, 1974, Melaye is a controversial figure known for his affinity for designer fashion and luxury vehicles. In 2022, he was appointed as the spokesperson for the PDP presidential campaign council by Atiku Abubakar.
While Melaye is not married, he is a father and has been embroiled in various controversies in the past. In December 2018, the Nigeria police conducted a vigil at his Abuja residence due to pending arrest warrants.
The allegations against Melaye included accusations of involvement with armed thugs in an incident that resulted in the shooting of a police officer. Melaye vehemently denied these allegations and even claimed that the police intended to inject him with a lethal substance.
After days in hiding, Melaye eventually surrendered to the Nigeria Police Force, but police authorities maintained that the accusations were false and urged him to cooperate with their investigations.
Ahmed Ododo
Ahmed Usman-Ododo emerged as the APC candidate for the Kogi governorship election, defeating competitors including Shaibu Audu, Stephen Ocheni, Sanusi Ohiare, and Smart Adeyemi in the party’s primary election.
The APC adopted a direct mode of election, with Usman-Ododo securing 78,704 votes, followed by Audu with 763 votes, Ochen with 552 votes, Ohiare with 424 votes, and Adeyemi with 311 votes.
Usman-Ododo, the anointed candidate of the incumbent governor Yahaya Bello, is a former Auditor-General of Local Government in Kogi State.
He hails from Okene and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Ahmed Usman-Ododo’s victory positions him as a strong contender in the upcoming Kogi governorship election.
– Abubakar Yunusa, a freelance journalist with National Dailies Newspaper, writes from Abuja.
