The 21 local government Chairmen of the Labour Party (LP) in Kogi State say they have collapsed their structure to work for Usman Ododo, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023 election.
The party Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area and Chairman of LP Chairmen Forum, Hon. Jimba Emmanuel, who said their movement to APC was facilitated by the Obident Movement State Coordinator, Awe Kayode, led the party Chairmen along with some of their supporters to the official decamping ceremony Thursday in Lokoja.
Speaking at the program, Jimba said the Chairmen decided to abandon the party because it is no longer viable and the governorship candidate of the party lacks the leadership quality to govern a complex state like Kogi.
Jimba noted that the APC candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo has shown that he is a unifier whose nationalist qualities are needed to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.
He said political party is just a platform to power, adding that good governance isn’t about the party but individuals who are passionate about development and attracting dividends of democracy to the people. He said the governorship candidate of the Labour Party lacks leadership quality, hence their decision to abandon what he described as a “sinking ship.
The Forum chairman promised that his colleagues have agreed to mobilize all their structures across the 21 local government areas to deliver massive votes for the APC candidate.
The Convener of the Obedient Movement in Kogi State, Comrade Awe Kayode, in his address, said the Labour Party structure in Kogi State is a formidable one that delivered massive votes to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi without inducement or support.
He stated thag their decision to collapse the Labour Party structure into the APC was to join forces with th Progressives to actualize the ‘Kogi Agenda’ which seeks to further unite the people and ensure even development across board.
“I was in APC before I left to join the Labour Party, I am back today with more people and we are ready to add value. LP got over seventy six thousand votes in the last presidential election, we still have the same people that worked to achieve that feat. Kogi State belongs to all of us and we have decided to jettison ethnic or religious agenda to support the candidate of APC who promotes the Kogi Agenda.
Earlier, In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, commended the leader of the Obident Movement in Kogi State, Comr. Awe Kayode for his doggedness and mobilization ability. He said the crowd seen at the decamping event was a testimony of the genuiness of their decision to join the Progressives.
Jones urged the new decampees to join forces his canvassing and mobilizing for the victory of the APC governorship candidate to ensure sustainability and consolidation of the gains made by the Yahaya Bello administration.
Receiving the new members, the Kogi State APC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello said APC is a party that believes in development, equality and has a good reward system, adding that the new members will enjoy all the previledges as other members of the party.
He said members of the Obedient family are passionate and reasonable as they can distinguish between right and wrong, adding that their decision to join the APC shows that they appreciate the developmental efforts of Governor Yahaya Bello and his unwavering commitment to the unity, security and wellbeing of the people of Kogi State.
He said aside the character and leadership qualities of Alhaji Usman Ododo, being a critical member of the New Direction Administration has further equipped him with the needed knowledge and experience to lead the state and consolidate on the achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Bello urged members of the APC to disregard noise makers in opposition parties and go all out to ensure massive victory for the APC candidate, adding that as far as the November election was concerned, the APC has no rival.
