By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja.
A chairmanship aspirant in the just concluded National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, election in Kogi State, Comr. Benjamin Jeremiah Ojodale has described his lost as ordained by God Almighty who giveth and taketh at his appointed time.
Congratulated the winner, he noted that it will be on record as being the only aspirant who have successfully toured round the entire 21 LGAs, three senatorial districts of the State to seek for delegayes supports. He said he was able to camped 19 out of 21 LGAs coordinators and 5 delegates from each 21 LGAs areas till Thursday morning at Miami Hotel Lokoja before another directive came from the Special Adviser on youths and sports development asking him to withdraw from the race.
He explained further that Voluntary Youth Organization (VYO) numbering about 105 delegates across the State was used to knocked him out.
Jeremiah Ojodale while addressing delegates shortly after the result was announced in the township stadium, Lokoja Kogi State, venue of the election thanked those who supported him from onset and to the end saying he was overwhelmed with the peaceful conduct of the poll which produced one of his brothers as winner.
He commended the delegates, supporters and his media office for standing by him despite the intimidation and threat from some hidden faces claiming order from above. He said he couldn’t have performed better than what he has done as the race was already won even before the election commence.
Benjamin Ojodale who formerly served as Welfare Director in the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Kogi State chapter said the youths across the state would have wish it was him but unfortunately he lost it despite his tireless efforts.
According to him, he has learnt his lesson and said the government of the day christen by His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello whose Leadership is about services delivery and serving humanity as a whole remain his mentor and wish him well in his presidential aspiration.
He also instructed his supporters to rally round the winner to take the council to the most desirable and clamoured destination.
The results announced by the returning officer for the election, Comr. Oladele Nihi indicated that Comr. Joe Amana 3 Votes, Comr. Benjamin Jeremiah Ojodale got 46 and while Comr. Usman Ogohi Samuel 186 votes respectively.
Thanking the State government for giving him an opportunity to participate in the election and assured the winner of his continue support since they’re brothers from the eastern flanked of the State.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State government, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade commended the maturity of the aspirants exhibited before, during and after the elections and assured of government supports.
She said the present administration under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello is ready to partner with the youth organizations, urging them to continue to unveiled their open support and solidarity so that more dividends of democracy will continue to trace them.
The delegates and 21 LGAs coordinators were left with 2 option to decide on their faith on either to remain as coordinators enjoying their monthly subvention in addition with officials cars or risked losing their jobs for working against alleged government preferred candidate.
Global Times Nigeria also revealed that the State Commissioner for youths and Sports Development, Hon. Musa Oando who met with the coordinators at late hours on Wednesday earlier denied any government involvement in the election asked the aspirants to go to the poll since none of them was ready to stepdown for each others.
Benjamin Ojodale was reported to have won 10 out 21 LGAs despite government machineries, intimidation and pressure from all quarters. He said its God’s win not him that lost the race.
He equally appreciated the Deputy Governor, Edward David Onoja, SSG, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade and Chief of staff to the Governor, Alhaji Muhammed Jamiu Asuku for their support to the youths in the State.
While observers from FCT, Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, Presidency and various ministries in the State were in attendance.
