By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Flag-off on Sunday as a loud and clear statement that there is no other party in contest in the state.
The Speaker who disclosed this in an interview with Assembly Correspondents at the Speaker’s Lodge on Tuesday in Lokoja said contestants to the governorship seat in the other parties were merely playing to the gallery.
He said that with the quality and calibre of personalities and electorates that thronged the campaign flag off, it was evident that the APC was the only party to reckon with in the state.
Yusuf said even though the rally was hurriedly planned, “We have made a statement and the statement is loud and clear. There is no other party.
“Let me even tell you, there is no other party contesting. The candidates of other parties, one of them is contesting so that he will be able to get money from friends and other people to maintain his lifestyle.
“While the other one is using the party he belongs to, whipping sentiments for him to get appointment in our government. That is all.
“No, they are not contesting. And there is no contest as far as this governorship election is concerned. We are going to win. We have won”, the Speaker explained.
The Speaker went further to say that the APC had 22 out of the 25 members in the Assembly. “We have everything for our people to believe in us. So we are good to go. No panic, no stress at all.”
On the reason for the 41 days recess after the Tuesday Plenary sitting, the Speaker said the long adjournment was to enable the members prepare and work for the success of their parties in the governorship election.
“You know we are in the period of campaign and election activities in Kogi State. That we will be going to the field by November 11th, by the special grace of God, to elect who will rule the state.
“And as you know, as a House, we are from various political parties. Our attention will be needed by our political parties to participate in the meetings, political campaigns and other activities.
“This is to give members the leverage to stay with their parties and campaign. Of course, it is the party that sponsored us to this place. So we hold it as a duty to go and support the party and usher in the new government”, he said.
On the chances of the APC Governorship Candidate, Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Speaker said the structures that were used to win most of the elections in the state would still be deployed.
“The same structure will be used to deliver Ododo 100 per cent by the special grace of God”,
The Speaker expressed optimism that on return from the recess by November 21, work on the burnt Assembly complex would have been completed saying, “As we return by the special grace of God, we will resume in our new complex for full legislative activities.” (Ends)