Kogi LG election: Barr Tanko, Engr Bashir Gegu, others harps on Unity, cohesion, meets APC stakeholders
….Issue 8 point resolutions, Zone Chairmanship to Zone C
Passes vote of confidence on State Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Bashir Gegu
By Yahaya Idris, Kogi
Following the supreme court judgement declaring caretaker committee chairmen illegal and granting the local government autonomy to operate independently as part of concerted effort by President Bola Tinubu led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration to strengthen the third tier and democracy at the grassroots level.
Global Times Nigeria report that Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KSIEC), has fixed October 19, 2024 for the conduct of democratic local government election in the state.
The apex Court also ordered that the Federal government financial allocation to 774 local government areas without elected officials, be withheld just as the joint allocation account Committees in the states are no longer recognized under the law
Arising from the most recent All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders meeting held in Gegu Beki, headquarters of zone C, Kogi Local area on Saturday, the Executive chairman, Kogi State Civil Service Commission, Hon Barr. Muhammed Tanko Musa (Osuku), has strongly advocated for unity and cohesion as the prepares for council election in the State.
Barr Tanko, a former Chief Administrator of Kogi local government also called on members of the party to avoid creating unnecessary confusion that may derailed the party chance to win the October 19, council poll.
The legal luminary equally praised the pragmatic leadership prowess of the State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engineer Abubakar Mohammed Bashir (Gegu), for carrying every members of the party along irrespective of religion and party affiliation, while assuring the commissioner of his full support, urged others to follow suit.
He enjoin Kogi local government populace to rally support Engineer Abubakar Bashir Gegu as to enable him succeed in office, declaring that he has represented the area well at the State Executive Council.
Tanko commended the people of Kogi LG for their support, solidarity and loyalty to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, noting that such support will continue to usher in more development in the area.
The State Civil Service boss, emphasized the need for Kogi LG people to key into the vision of present administration headed by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, even as he said the young Governor is ready to do more for their people.
Barr Tanko called for unity and cohesion among members as the party prepares itself for the 2024 LG election.
“We urge members to put their respective bitterness and bickering behind, so we can forge ahead and sustain our wining system in Kogi LG.”
“We are happy with the crop of leaders APC produced from Kogi LG, we are confident of a victory in the slated LG election.”
Speaking at the meeting, Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engineer Abubakar Mohammed Bashir Gegu, said with measures put in place by Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, KSIEC, the APC is prepared to go into the election without further delay, charging members of the party to be up and doing as to win the upcoming election.
Mr. Bashir Gegu, emphasised that the Kogi LG APC will consult widely across the 11 electoral wards before concluding on who to field as the next Kogi LG Chairman and councilors of the various electoral wards.
He assured that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo government is a continuity of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, noting that the Governor has vowed to ensure equal distribution of wealth to the entire state.
The young Commissioner urged the party leadership at LG, wards and unity levels to adopt unity as council election coming close.
Explained that the leadership have setup of various committees to long into electioneering process, appeal and reconciliation which will go round to ensure what is expected is done in the area.
“We have a tradition on how we zone our political offices which is a precedence set for winning election, we won’t boycott any formular that will add to fortune of APC”.
“We have the people who are willing to do more for the survival of APC in our LG. The have seen what the government of APC has done so far and will want to glue to the development.”
The details of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Kogi LG stakeholders held in Gegu Beki, Kogi LG on Sunday have been revealed.
The stakeholders issued a communique at the end of the meeting revealed 7 resolutions made by the party leadership
According to the communique, the Kogi LG stakeholders meeting as follows
1. The APC stakeholders collectively agreed on zoning the Chairmanship to Zone C, saying the zonal arrangement is healthy to democracy and will promote fairness, equity and accountability.
2. The Kogi LG stakeholders also resolved that leaders are mandated to justly produce their councilors that will be accepted by all.
3. On gender sensitive and equality, the stakeholders assured women that a position will be taken and communicated to them in due cause
4. Initiate Central Election coordination committee that will monitor electioneering process: Appeal and reconciliation committees
5. The party also advoacte for effective rewarding system to be activated, this will take care of those who work for the success of the party at all level
6. The party leadership to meet with potential candidates vying for various offices and to be caution on why they’re been push to represent their people in government.
7. The stakeholders also promise to work hard to maintain its winning strategy and to defeat opposition parties in Kogi LG
8. Advised aspirants seeking to contest elective position to resign their appointments before making their interest known.
The marathon APC stakeholders meeting had in attendance, serving member representing Kogi/Koton- constituency at Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Idrees Maikudi Aliyu, Special Advisers, senior Special Assistants, to Kogi State Governor, State Vice Chairman for western district of APC, former LG chairmen, councilors, women leaders, ward Chairmen, LG party chairman host of former party leadership assured the congress that they’re in support of the APC and will mobilise massively for the party to win the upcoming election.
Also present during the meeting were 11 electoral wards in Kogi LG: Ukwo, Odaki, Koton-Karfe South East, Girinya, Irenodu, Akpasu, Tawari, Gegu North, Gegu-South, Chikara North and Chikara South all sent in their representatives and gave their input in the meeting.
Our correspondent report that, the APC in its unanimous decision reaffirmed their support to their leader and State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engineer Abubakar Mohammed Bashir Gegu.
The Kogi LG APC stakeholders said their decision to back Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources was based on his capacity, diligence and sincerity in handling party affairs and urged him to continue with his good work.
