Kogi Guber: APC will win as membership cuts across ethnic groups, achievements., — Gov Bello assures

IDRIS AHMED, Lokoja

Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has reiterated his conviction that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will win the November 11 governorship election overwhelmingly in view of its structure and numerous achievements.

He said ethnic politics has no place in the State, describing those pursuing any agenda that would not benefit the entire state as enemies of the people.

The Governor gave the victory assurance on Thursday, while addressing the State’s APC stakeholders meeting, held at the Glass House inside Government House, Lokoja.

He expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress as a party for all ethnic groups in the state would win overwhelmingly, but not on the basis of ethnic sentiment, maintained that the victory will be on the strength of the party and his administration’s achievements.

“We must jettison ethnicity in Kogi State. Those championing ethnic agenda do not mean well for our unity. In Kogi, we have every ethnic group in APC. Let us not allow undeserving elements to drag us back,” he stated.

He equally recalled that the party won 99 per cent of elective positions in the state during the last general election.

“We won all senatorial election. We won all the House of Representatives and Assembly election, except one. Presently, all opposition political parties have all joined the APC in the state.

“With about 1500 political appointees in the state, the APC party structure is everywhere. We are united in the State with no ethnic colouration.

“The November 11 Governorship election is like a boxing match between Mike Tyson and a malnourished political party. We will win overwhelmingly not on the basis of ethnic sentiment but on the strength of the APC,” the Governor added.

The Governor therefore urged the members of the party to go back home, down to the grassroots, in order to consolidate on the party’s winning strategies.

While urging them to campaign based on issues, he however cautioned against violence and also be peaceful.

Bello recalled that the elections that late Prince Abubakar Audu in 1992 and 1999, were not on ethnic sentiment and Alhaji Ibrahim Idris won on two occasions, not on ethnic sentiment.

He added that Capt. Idris Wada also won in 2012, not on any sentiment, while himself in 2018, won overwhelmingly, not on ethnic sentiment.

“I can assure you that in 2023 and moving forward, elections will also be won, not on ethnic sentiment,” he said.