By Otori Ozigi
Just few days away to the scheduled by election for the vacant seat of House of representative (Lokoja – Koto), the frontline candidate in the race, Rt. Hon. Imam Ahmed Umar has expressed his optimism that he would come out victorious in the forthcoming by-election fixed for August 11th 2018 by INEC.
Brimming with infectious confidence, he said given his track record of selfless service to his community as a progressive law maker, he declared emphatically that victory will surely come his way because he has fully prepared for the battle ahead, urging INEC to ensure free, fair and credible election.
According to him, he has worked tirelessly in the past months that should guarantee him victory in the election. “I know that the good people of Lokoja-Koton Federal Constituency will not let me down at a time like this. They have assured me of massive votes that will guarantee my success in the forthcoming election”.
Rt. Hon. Umar, who is a sitting member of the House of Assembly, told this journalist in a telephone chat that he was obviously the candidate to beat in the forthcoming by election given his intimidating pedigree and antecedence as a grassroots politician over the years.
He pointed out that his record of dividends of democracy in the constituency was unassailable because he touched lives of the people in the community positively.
It will be recall that when he became speaker of the House, though his tenure was very brief, but it was evidently, eventful and impactful.
Rt. Hon. Umar promised to do more for the constituents at a higher level saying that he was one law maker that can be trusted. He enjoined the good people of Lokoja-Koto that he was the most suited to succeed the Late Hon. Buba Jibril whom he eulogized as “a living legend and a patriotic Nigerian” from our community.
He prayed for the continued repose of Late Buba’s soul, urging his followers to keep his legacies alive by voting for him massively. Rt. Hon. Umar however, urged the electorate to shun vote buying by any aspirants saying that the practice was ugly, negative, undemocratic and retrogressive at this stage of nascent democracy in the Kogi State. He also urged security agencies to be vigilant and patriotic as they carry out their duties in the forthcoming by election.
