PDP Taunts APC Over Kogi, Bayelsa Guber Polls
- As Kogi West elders back Gov Bello
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has boasted that the November 16 governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states will spell electoral doom for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates.
According to the country’s main opposition party, given the widely-acknowledged poor performances of the Muhammadu Buhari-led Presidency and Governor Yahaya Bello, it will be an uphill task for the APC to amass up to 20 per cent of total votes cast in the forthcoming polls.
Taunting their opponents further, PDP said it will also be near impossible for the APC to attain the statutory 25 per cent of the votes required in two-thirds of local governments in both states.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said in a statement yesterday that the APC is battling for its political life because it cannot boast of genuine followership, having failed to make any appreciable impact or consolidate any foothold in the country and the two states.
The PDP spokesman said: “This is so because it is overwhelmingly evident that the PDP has the highest demography of members, supporters and volunteers in all the electoral units, wards and local governments, ready for the poll and not even the APC’s recourse to violence, blackmail, manipulations and rituals can sway the resolve of the people in both states.
“Moreover, there is already a consensus that APC’s candidates; the anti-people Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State as well as unskilled David Lyon of Bayelsa State are no match for PDP’s versatile Musa Wada and cerebral Senator Douye Diri’s popularity in their respective states.”
The statement, which claimed that overwhelming defeat and humiliation await the APC at the gubernatorial polls, said; “For the people of Kogi state, the November 16 election is a determined march for freedom; for inevitable emancipation from the stranglehold of the repressive, vindictive, exploitative and corrupt APC administration.”
- Jemibewon, Bayo Ojo, others boost Bello’s support base
Meanwhile, a group of elders from Kogi West Senatorial district led by former Minister of Police Affairs, Gen. David Jemibewon, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) and 14 other leaders on Thursday endorsed Governor Yahaya Bello for second term in office.
They said their decision followed talks between the governor and the Kogi West Elders Forum (KWEF).
According to them, their support for Governor Bello is based on his pledges to protect lives and property; pay workers’ salaries and to complete all ongoing projects in Kogi West District.
Those who endorsed the governor include: Gen. David M. Jemibewon (Rtd); HRH Gen. Abdullahi B Mamman Rtd; HRH Alh Idris A. Yusuf Tawari; Vice Admiral Ajayi Joseph (Rtd); Gen. J.O.S Oshanupin( Rtd); Chief Engr. Funso Ako; and Dr. Oluwayomi David Atte.
Others are Col. Olusegun Oloruntoba (Rtd); Dr. Tunde Arosanyin; Chief James O. Awoniyi; Chief Bayo Ojo SAN CON; Chief Benjamin Taiwo; Chief Funmi Bodunde; Dan D. Kunle; Alh Isiaq Ajibola and Deinde Abolarin.
The communique of the elders reads: “Consequent upon the sensitisation of the views of critical stakeholders in the District and subsequent meeting with the Governor of the State, His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello, at the Kogi state liaison office on Sunday, October 7, 2019 in Abuja, the Kogi West Elders Forum (KWEF), a body of non-partisan community leaders which comprises accomplished individuals in their various fields, has reviewed the current political, social and economic developments in Kogi West Senatorial District of the State and hereby issues this communiqué.
