Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, promised on Friday that the elections for governor on November 11 will be free and fair.
The governor provided the reassurance as he officially welcomed thousands of PDP members from the state’s Ankpa Local Government Area.
The now-former PDP supporters have made the decision to switch allegiance to the APC, which is currently in power in Kogi State.
Insinuating that the APC in Kogi State is a party that does not discriminate, Governor Bello reassured the new members that they would be treated kindly and given equal privileges just as founding party members.
While he thanked the delegation for their resilience, dedication and resoluteness to identify with the APC, the governor said that the ruling party was the right one to belong to, as his administration is building a renewed Kogi State.
Bello appreciated the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Rabiu Alfa for his loyalty and dedication, while he also lauded the chairman of Ankpa LGA, Hon. Ibrahim Abagwu, for the good work he’s done.
The governor reiterated that the APC does not discriminate on the basis of religion, ethnicity, class or any other divisive factors.
“I want to assure you once again that the November 11 election will be free, fair and peaceful.
“Government will ensure that the process is violence-free. We’ll ensure that the people of Kogi State cast their votes, as anyone intending to destabilise the state would be taken care of by security operatives.”
Mentioning some of the achievements of his administration in Ankpa Local Government, he promised that more would be done.
He urged the new members to enlist more of their supporters and advocate for others in the grassroots to join the APC, as there is room for everyone to benefit from the dividends of good governance
The leader of the delegation, Hon. Abraham Usman, who was a strong stakeholder in the PDP, said they made the decision and are convinced to join the ruling party because they identified Governor Bello’s leadership acumen and political trajectory, which reflect his firmness to always do the right thing.
He noted that members of the group are high-ranking leaders of PDP in Ankpa LGA and are now willing to work for the APC.
The Party Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, who earlier received the new members before handing them over to the governor, said they were strong grassroots stakeholders from Ankpa LGA who have been harvested by party stakeholders from the local government, led by the immediate past deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Rabiu Alfa.
He said that the new party members were willing to join the party, work and add value towards the party’s victory in the forthcoming elections.