Zonal chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, together with the party’s chairmen in the 21 local government areas of the state on Thursday formally decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The SDP officials said they have examined their alternatives and decided to put the ongoing improvement of the state and the wellbeing of the people above other concerns before publicly announcing their decision to join the ruling party at the Government House in Lokoja.
Suleiman Isah, the SDP’s Zonal Chairman for Kogi East, criticized what he called the party’s ethnicity-based campaign, saying it was harmful to the state’s sociocultural well-being and might jeopardize the calm that has prevailed in the state for a number of years.
“We are happy that this is happening today. Even while we were in the opposition, we were aware that you did a lot for the state. The infrastructure projects are what anyone cannot deny, Your Excellency. We have all decided to join the APC to support the efforts at further developing the state. And we will give all the necessary support to ensure victory for the APC candidate in the governorship election,” Isah said.
He praised Governor Yahaya Bello for his outstanding achievements over the last seven years in the fields of agriculture, education, health, and road infrastructure, among others.
The APC candidate, Ododo Ahmed Usman gave the Governor Yahaya Bello assurances about the commitment of all SDP chairmen to the Kogi Agenda.
Zubairu Ibrahim, the acting chairman of the SDP for the Kogi Central Senatorial District, praised the governor for the state’s infrastructural development and in particular for his substantial efforts to ensure the security of people and property.
He emphasized that well-intentioned Kogites would not sacrifice it on the altar of politics and said that the people of Kogi State currently experience greater security and peace than in the past.
While welcoming the decampees, Governor Yahaya Bello praised their “courageous step” as well as their willingness to contribute to the state’s progress.
He reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to upholding an inclusive administration that provides equal opportunity to both seasoned and novice APC members.