By Lami Ibrahim
A political support group under the aegis of Ododo Progressive Network (OPN) has tasked the Kogi State Governor-Elect Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo and the Deputy Governor-elect Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo to oversee the state without any tribal sentiment in the interest of peace and progress of the State.
The Patron of the group, Nasir Rahman Ichanyi gave the charge on Wednesday 22/11/2023 in Lokoja during a poll Victory celebration and get-together organised group to celebrate the victory of Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo and his running at the just concluded Kogi State off-cycle governorship election.
According to him, the get-together is necessary to appreciate and commend Kogi electorates for coming out en-mass to give the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its candidate a well-deserved victory at the poll.
“I seize this unique opportunity to congratulate the Governor-elect and our principal, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his victory at the polls. We rejoice with him and his Deputy Governor-elect Elder Joel Oyibo Salifu, for being the final fulfilment of the wish of the good people of Kogi State.
“It is my prayer that God in his infinite wisdom will guide the tw f you aright and help you to meet beyond the expectations of the good people of Kogi State. In long life and unfailing health shall you both carry Kogi State from progress to more progress.
“As a Network of Progressives who believe in your vision, we urge that you uphold excellence of governance and sharpen your visions for Kogi State to surpass its antecedent by leaps and bounds.
“Like His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who has kept a fair balance across all ethnic lines in the State, we urge the Governor and Deputy Gover Governor-election to work beyond tribal sentiments and regional affiliations and treat all Kogites as one under one plan of peace, progress and prosperity for the State” he, said.
While applauding the fairness of the Kogi State APC primary election process that accommodated every candidate as equals at the polls, the patron of OPN described the seamless process that produced Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as the Party’s Gubernatorial Flag Bearer as a testament to the integrity of the party in the State.
“It’s praise-worthy to His Excellency on how he has kept every member of the APC under one umbrella of peace and progress towards a common goal, which was to make Kogi State an APC winning State”
The group expressed her gratitude to the election umpire the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for conducting one of the most freest, transparent and credible governorship electelection in the history of Kogi state.
“I must commend the bravery and patriotism of all Staff and Presiding Officers alike of the Commission in carrying out their duties without fear or favour, and making sure every candidate deserved the due right to be voted for and that the electorates exercised their franchise” he stated.
Nasir Rahman Ichanyi who also commended the gallantry nature of all the security agencies that participated in the election for their peacekeeping and maintenance of law and order throughout the entire period of the election, said the governorship election was conducted under the ambit of the electoral laws which he noted resulted in rancorancour-free exerts.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, commended members of the Ododo Progressive Network for their ability to champion a cause that has resulted in the victory of APC and its its poll.
Enehe who is also the Executive Chairman Kogi of State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) assured the people of Kogi State that the Governor-Elect would consolidate on the laudable achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello to take the state to another level of infrastructure and economic development.
“I am saying with mincing words that Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo’s administration will create jobs for Kogi youth. The new administration will embark on women empowerment to boost their livelihood” he added.
Also in his welcome address the coordinator of the political group Comrade Abdulazeez Omeiza promised that the Support Group would continue to promote and propagate the policies of the new administration to ensure the people of the grassroots were carried along in the activities of the government.
He finally thanked all the articipants for coming to the occasion and wished them mercy back to their various destinations.
