The rivary between the Alll Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, got heated following the presentation of flag to the APC governorship candidate, Prince Abubarka Audu.
The epoch making event which took place at Lokoja Confluence Stadium witnessed yet another unprecedented crowd of supporters of APC who thronged to the venue in the early hours of the day.
Based on what was gathered, the presence of the National Central working Committee (NCWC) of APC was very unique and symbolic of the party’s readiness to wrestle power from the ruling party in the state.
Though the PDP had had a similar rally in Okene, the headquarters of Kogi Central district, with the retinue of their supporters, APC rally in Lokoja signified that its candidate is very popular given the sea of heads that attended the rally.
However, the PDP and the Governor Idris Wada/Awoniyi campaign organization have berated the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presentation of flag to Audu as they stated that it is a vindication of their stand that the APC governorship flagbearer in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu is unsellable.
The Communication Manager to the Governor, Mr. Phrank Shaibu stated that the APC candidate was antithetical to the anti-corruption posture of Buhari administration, hence the failure of the president to honour the occasion.
“The absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a clear attestation that the candidature of Abubakar Audu is antithetical to the anti-corruption stand of the president.
“It’s a further confirmation of the issue that the PDP has been harping on, particularly, that the APC candidate is being weighed down by a large ton of baggage. We implore the people of the state to toe the line of President Muhammadu Buhari by jettisoning Audu at the poll,” Shaibu stated.
However, in a swift reaction, the head of Audu Media Directorate , Dr. Tom Ohikere disclosed that the absence of President Mohammed Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who were attending to national issues should not be politicized.
Ohikere maintained that contrary to PDP's view that the absence of two elder statesmen has shown that the APC candidate was unsellable is uncalled for, noting that by the former governor’s antecedents, Audu is more sellable because he laid a good foundation for good people of the state between 1999 and 2003 in the state.
He pointed out that the statement was a mere propaganda to distract the attention of electorate from the issues of maladministration and lack of infrastructural development in the state.
Meanwhile, amidst speculation that some groups within APC were working for the disqualification of Audu, the NCWC of APC stormed Lokoja, Kogi State capital and presented flag to the gubernatorial candidate of the Party in the November 21st governorship election in Kogi state, Prince Abubarka Audu.
While presenting the flag to Audu at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, stated that it is time for Kogi state to Join the change train and move the state forward.
Odigie- Oyegun stated that the NCWC is ready to march on and deliver Kogi to APC, noting that the party is ready to take what it belongs to it, urging the people of the state to vote en masse for the APC and its gubernatorial candidate and stated that the process of change has begun in Kogi state.
The National Chairman who was supported by other party hierarchy and State governors, told the crowd that the people will return to Lugard House to celebrate APC victory.
Earlier, the state Chairman of APC, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo stated that it is high time to deliver Kogi State from PDP mal-administration in the last 12 years, stating that the time has come for change in the state.
Ametuo explained that people of the state have suffered a lot of infrastructural decay under the administration of PDP-led government in the past few years, stressing that the time has come to vote out PDP in the state
He appealed to the large crowd of supporters of APC and defectors from PDP and other parties to work hard for the victory of APC candidate at the poll, saying that APC will be fair to all and that every segments of Kogi state will benefit tremendously under APC.
Speaking also , the former governor of Kano state , Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso stated that the change has come, and that the people of the state must embrace change now, noting that all other states in the north central are already in the ruling party at the centre and Kogi state cannot afford to be left out.
He pointed out that the APC governorship candidate is a man of many achievements and a candidate to beat in the coming governorship election calling on the electorate to vote for APC candidate in the election.
The Chairman of Progressive governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Dr. Rochas Okorocha stated that Audu has done a lot and he will do it better again, noting that he did very well during his first tenure under ANPP.
Okorocha urged electorate in Kogi to come out and vote for APC candidate and former governor of the state Prince Abubarka Audu because of his enormous experience in national building.
On her part, the national woman leader, Hajia Ramatu Tijani stated that Audu is a pragmatic leader who has done much when he was governor and he can do it better. She called on the electorate to ensure they keep their Voter cards to enable them exercise the right to vote out PDP in the state.
Responding, the APC candidate, Prince Audu stated that he came on a rescue mission, saying that the state is the most backward state in Nigeria.
He noted that there has not been meaningful development since he left office 12 years ago.
He stated that if given the mandate again, Kogi will be ranked among the best in Nigeria.
He pledged that he will address the contentious issues of power rotation among the three senatorial districts of the state by handing over to an Ebira governor or Okun governor after four years in office.
Dignitaries at the presentation of flag included the national Chairman of the Party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the National Vice Chairman, Lawan Shuaibu; Governor Rochas OkorochaImo; Alhaji Al-Makura, Nasarawa; Dr. Samuel Ortom – Benue; Deputy governor of Adamawa State; Deputy governor of Kwara State, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso; National women leader; Zonal Women leader North Central; all serving senators, House of Representatives members and all APC House of Assembly members in Kogi State.