Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, on Friday, assured the residents of Kogi State and the Nigerian populace at large. He affirmed that the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 11, 2023, will be the most tranquil in the states.
The governor has emphasized once again that he shares no familial ties with the APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, Alhaji Usman Ododo. This stands in contrast to the opposition’s claims. He underscored that Alhaji Ododo earned his candidacy through merit, emerging victorious in a fiercely contested, transparent, and equitable election.
The Governor addressed attendees at the 3rd Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) Seminar for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Correspondents/Editors in Abuja.
In response to claims and counterclaims about the damage to campaign offices in the state, the governor stated that the APC candidate retains the highest level of popularity and affection. Therefore, he is committed to avoiding any actions that could tarnish the integrity of the upcoming poll.
“Ododo has endeared himself to the people of Kogi. How can you be the most popular candidate, positioned to win, and still instigate violence?” He asked.
“Ododo and I may come from the same place but we do not share any blood relationship whatsoever. Do your findings. He is a very compassionate, hardworking, and competent fellow and those qualities spoke for him at the primaries,” he added.
“Bello clarified that one of the primary objectives of his administration was to eliminate the ethnic biases that had hindered the progress of the state before his leadership.”
“Ethnic sentiments set Kogi back for 19 years and we must break away from that for competence. My administration has changed the narrative of ethnicity and has been appointing and working with competent people as against choosing people from tribes in the state.”
“We raise people from different backgrounds, irrespective of their senatorial zones,” he added.
Previously, the Kogi Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, emphasized that no lives would be lost over an election. He underscored that maintaining security was paramount for the state, and as such, the government would not waver from its commitment to peace.