By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the people of Kogi State on Saturday turned out en masse to show overwhelming solidarity and support for the Accord Party (AP), at its official campaign flag off at Ayingba, in Dekina local government area of Kogi State.
In a carnival-like atmosphere, supporters of the party across different communities and local government areas in the state numbering thousands, stretched beyond the popular Ayingba Hotel, pledging to stand with the candidate of the party, Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin Rtd, at the polls.
Hailing the people for pouring out in huge numbers to identify with the party, the visibly jubilant National Chairman of the Party, Muhammed Nalado, said the presence of the mammoth crowd showed that the AP was on ground, alive and safe in the state.
The National Chairman attributed the support to Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin’s contributions to the development of the state.
Nalado, who described Jibrin as a man with the capacity to deliver on the people’s mandate having carved a niche for himself in the military as former Chief of Naval Staff, added that the governorship hopeful had already toured some local government areas where he had direct discussions with the people at various town-hall meetings.
The National Chairman who boasted that the intimidating crowd which came out to welcome the AP sent a strong message that the state was comfortable with the party, noted that the governorship candidate’s contribution to the development of the state made it possible for them to embrace the party.
He insisted that AP would clear all the polling units in the state because of their walk-the-talk policy of grassroots mobilisation, saying the campaign council under his leadership will get the work done and deliver huge victory.
He further expressed faith in Jibrin’s capability to move the state to greater heights through economic transformation and efficient service delivery.
On his part, the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer, Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin Rtd, promised to revamp ailing industries, fix security, education, agriculture, and health sector and address the problem of salary and pension arrears within a few months of assumption of office if elected as the next governor.
The AP governorship candidate assured Kogi workers that he would put smiles on their faces, adding that the civil service would be restructured and reformed for effective service delivery.
Meanwhile, some leaders of APC, PDP and SDP from Kogi East who attended the flag off ceremony collapsed their parties’ support base, pledging to work for Admiral Jibrin’s emergence as governor.
While adopting the AP gubernatorial candidate as their preferred candidate, the political parties under the aegis of Coalition of Registered Political Parties and led by Dr. Sam Adams, said they were at the event to renew their partnership with the Accord Party.
They commended the people for their impressive turnout and overwhelming support for the AP Governorship flagbearer, adding that they were convinced with what they saw in the state.
“We have heard, seen and are going home with the impression that Kogi State is AP,” they said.
Below are some pictures captured at the event:
