The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has assured its teeming supporters that the party’s candidate, Barr. Natasha Akpoti, will be on the ballot in the forthcoming November governorship election.
Dr. Abdullahi Baba Abdul, Director General, Natasha/Khaleed Campaign Organization, gave the assurance during a press conference in Lokoja on Saturday.
He stated that they are not unmindful of the orchestrated plan to get their candidate off the ballot through the back door.
Dr Baba Abdul told newsmen that the party is strengthened by the fact that INEC lacks the power to disqualify a candidate, as such it will commence vigorous campaign across the state.
He urged the people to make history by resisting impunity as the SDP remains the party to beat.
“We are here to send a dire needed message of hope to Kogites and Nigerians in general. Our interpersonal and phone conversations in the last few days have been daunted with questions whether we are contesting the November 16 governorship election or not? And our answer, without prejudice to the matter before a competent arbiter, is yes.
“Our principal, having declared her interest to contest for the governorship election in the parry and went through the party scrutiny and had subjected herself to the internal democratic mechanics and emerged victorious with her name forwarded to INEC within the time frame stipulated by the law and have met all eligibility criteria for running for the governor’s seat, it is therefore not an issue or any contemplation to be on the ballot box come November 16th,” he said.
He called on the party’s supporters to pray for the collective dream of a better Kogi State with the emergence of Barr. Natasha as governor where no civil servant, retiree will contemplate suicide as an option.
