Kogi must develop as one united state – Gov. Bello

***Says APC won on the strength of acceptance, achievements

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

GOVERNOR Yahaya Bello of Kogi ha said that the State must develop as one united state and pointing out that under no illusion must any tribe think they can vote for themselves and become Governor without the support of other tribes.

Bello who was speaking at a stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Glasshouse, Government House on Saturday in Lokoja said the November 11 governorship election had shown that unity remained the watchword.

The Governor reiterated his commitment to preserving the unity of the state, saying that he has consistently made transparency his watchword in the distribution of the gains of democracy to the people.

Bello thanked God and President Bola Tinubu for the support which culminated in the victory of the All Progressives Congress in the November 11, governorship election.

He stressed that the party and its candidate, Usman Ododo “won the election clean and clear” as he stressed that it was pertinent to review and evaluate the election for people to learn from their mistakes and avoid the pitfalls of the past in future exercises.

“The journey was full of ups and downs in the last seven years. But we thank God for the resounding victory. With all the obstacles before, during and after the election, the APC came out stronger.

“In 2019, I won without ethnic agenda. I cautioned against tribal sentiments and asked that we desist from it before the election. I was optimistic that the APC would win the November 11, Governorship election.

“I wanted it to be a sweet victory, reason I cautioned against sentiments”, he said and expressed regrets that people allowed emotions, personal and parochial interests to becloud their sense of reasoning.

He noted that the level of good governance provided by his administration in the areas of road construction, healthcare and infrastructure development was enough for the APC to win overwhelmingly.

Governor Bello described the Igala nation as good people, saying, “The Igala nation are not tribalistic or racist. They are good people but majority are being misled by poor representation.”

He assured the people of Kogi West that payback time would soon come and called on leaders to educate their people and be selfless.

The governor said the time for Kogi State to consolidate on unity and security among other achievements is now and thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve and learn adding that he was prepared to serve the state better even after leaving office.

Speaking at the at the stakeholders’ meeting, Deputy Governor, Edward David Onoja, congratulated the APC family and the Governor-elect, saying that the victory wouldn’t have been possible without the support and hard work of Governor Yahaya Bello.

“Those who could not work for victory should break away from sentiments and work for a united Kogi State in the future”, he said.

Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, thanked the people of Kogi West for standing strong and voting the APC in spite of the fact that three Okun sons being in the contest in the election.

Kogi APC State Chairman, Abdullahi Bello (Dollar), in his remarks appreciated the APC faithful for fighting very hard to clinch victory and assured members that the party would do a review of the whole process to determine those who betrayed the APC. (Ends)