By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Ahead of the November 2023 gubernatorial election in Kogi State, some prominent socio-political groups have observed that the growing acceptance of the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Mr Olayinka Braimoh, by voters in the state is as a result of his leadership track record and grassroots political ideologies.
While declaring support for the governorship aspiration of Braimoh the groups noted that support for his candidature had continued to swell, despite being in the opposition party in the state, because of the belief amongst the electorate that he’ll put an end to the long suffering of the masses.
Addressing newsmen separately, the groups made up of various coalitions noted that voters in the state had decided not to vote along ethnic lines but rather focus on the leadership antecedents of the various candidates aspiring for the governorship.
Reeling out Braimoh’s leadership qualities, including his philanthropic gesture, a group known as “Peaceful Ladies” declared total support and commitment to the governorship aspiration of the young Estate Developer.
The Group’s coordinator, Ms. Janet David, said that they had resolved to align with Braimoh to reclaim the lost glory of the state.
The group stated this while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja, on Sunday.
Harping on Braimoh’s accomplishments, the group vowed to ensure his emergence as Governor of the state, reiterating that “it is very necessary for us to rise to the challenge of the moment by declaring our unalloyed support, cooperation and commitment to the process that would lead to Braimoh’s emergence as Governor of Kogi State come November 11, 2023.
“It’s now glaring and obvious to Kogites that the change they yearn for is here, Olayinka Braimoh, the AA Governorship candidate in the upcoming election is contesting the 2023 Governorship election in order to add value, end godfatherism and make a difference in Kogi State that has long suffered poor governance by the incumbent governor of the state” , the group added.
In a similar vein, another group known as Kogi Youth Vanguard, which comprises youth entrepreneurs, on Monday, endorsed the Governorship aspiration of Olayinka Braimoh.
Giving reasons for their endorsement, the Group’s leader, Comrade Onimisi Momoh, berated the incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that his performance was below the expectations of Kogites.
According to Momoh, the victory of Braimoh will reposition Kogi State and return it to the path of peace, security, socioeconomic development and sustainable empowerment of the people.
Momoh, in a chat with journalists after the group’s Congress held in Lokoja, explained that the philanthropic gesture of Braimoh had proven that he would develop the state in the aspects of education, healthcare, roads, employment, infrastructure, environment, youth empowerment and agricultural development.
He urged voters to stop lamenting on what he described as the misgovernance of the incumbent government but rally round Braimoh who is in the race because he has a lot to offer the people of Kogi State.
“The task before Kogites is to come out en masse and liberate the State from the hands of political godfathers and scavengers that have sworn to keep Kogi State undeveloped and highly mis governed. Let’s stop lamenting on the imperfections in our state but find the courage to collectively stand up and be counted in our determination to reposition the State to be the giant that will provide prosperity for all of us and put us in the path of sustainable growth and development”, he said.
