Political stakeholders in Ebira-dominated Kogi Central senatorial district have endorsed Bayo Adobanyi Averehi as their preferred candidate for the November 16 governorship election.
In a ceremony which took place in Okene over the weekend, statutory delegates and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the five local governments in Kogi Central pledged to support the governorship aspiration of Averehi.
The political leaders stated that Ebiras in the state are viewed as bad people because of the below par performance of Governor Yahaya Bello. They described Averehi as credible alternative that has all it takes to make Kogi great.
Averehi, in his remark, noted that the alarming economy crises in the state was what motivated him to come out for the number one seat in the state, adding that he has the capacity, if given the chance, to manage the affairs of the state.
According to him, the citizens of the state have been subjected to abject poverty. However, the governorship hopeful said he is poised in changing the narrative and bring back smile to the faces of the people and re-define the story of the Ebiras and Kogi state in general.
While answering the question of how he intend to face other strong aspirants from the party, Averehi stated that God gives power and the people of the state are better informed than before, hence, the people will vote for who they think can effectively represent them.
He added that, in a case where he loses out during the primary election, he will humbly accept defeat and work with the winner to restructure the state to what it should be.
“Experience, I know is key in everything we do in life. As a result of this, my wealth of experience in the public and private sectors will be put to bear and professionals will be consulted to execute some of the blue print I have to alleviate the fortunes of the state,” he said.
Averehi who earlier paid a royal homage to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr Ado Ibrahim to seek for his royal blessing towards realizing his governorship ambition, pleaded for peace from different factions in the party. He noted that if the party must come back to where it belongs, personal interest must be dropped for the common interest of the party.
In his speech, the PDP senatorial Chairman, Hon. Iliyasu Zubair thanked leaders and members from the senatorial district for their loyalty and support in redeeming the image of the PDP.
He, however, warned that all personal interests must be dropped if the party must achieve it common goal in the forth coming election.
“We have decided to support one of the aspirants and today we are making it open that we are supporting Mr. Bayo Adobayin Averehi, such that our voice can be heard and we can together ensure the emergence of the most capable candidate who will present us with the best chance of winning the governorship election.
“We have assessed all the aspirants who have expressed interest to run for Kogi State governorship election and considered their manifestos, antecedents, and political history before giving the aspiration of Mr. Averehi a nod as the person we have chosen as the right candidate to fly the party’s flag on November 16th.
“We, the Kogi State Central Forum of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have endorsed the candidature of Bayo Adobayin Averehi because he has a very rich political pedigree and has all the credentials to flag the common interest of all the Ebira people,” he stated.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Director General of the Averehi Campaign Organization, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibieda commended party faithfuls for the large turn out for the grand reception.
Represented by Ayodeji Sunday, Ibieda noted that the party’s governorship aspirant has been critically tested and deemed fit to champion the Lugard 2019 course.
In their respective goodwill messages, the former PDP vice chairman Okene LGA, Mr. Shaibu Obaro, State exco Financial Secretary, Jude Sulieman, PDP Chairman Okehi LGA, Women leader and Youths leader all voiced their unflinching support for Averehi, while urging him to remain resolute and steadfast to the big course.
