Ahead of the November 16, 2019 Kogi state governorship election, Governor Yahaya Bello’s ambition to seek for reelection has already split the state chapter of the All Progressives Congresses (APC).
It was earlier rumored that the state chapter of the APC had endorsed the incumbent for second term. But this has been dismissed by some members of the state APC.
Addressing journalists in Abuja Sunday, Kogi state APC secretary, Barrister Salaam Tom Adejo, rubbished the purported endorsement.
He said the state APC chairman had taken a stand that wasn’t acceptable by most of the state executive.
He said, “Our discussion ended at the need for peace so that the party can move forward. He said he needed a sincere peace and we agreed on terms. There was nothing like endorsement.
“The terms we agreed on was that our allowances should be paid and other packages that we are entitled to will be given to us. And we all agreed on these terms”.
“The governor requested for the case in court to be withdrawn. We told him there are some processes to be followed. The issue of withdrawing the case is subject to another negotiation.
The state secretary also said that it was not in the state executive position to endorse any aspirant, adding that the party governorship ticket is open to every qualifiesparty member.
He said ” We did not endorse anyone and we are not planning to. The party’s ticket is open to everyone in the party.
Asked to access the performance of governor Yahaya Bello, on whether he is suitable to fly the arty’s ticket, Adejo said, +”The party has its own criteria on what they want from a candidate. If someone has performed well or is an achiever, it will speak for itself. Yahaya has been far away from us, since then he has not been properly directed.
Reacting to the Kogi state traditional rulers endorsement of Yahaya Bello last week in the Presidential Villa, he said, “the governorship election is not a traditional affair, they are entitled to a vote at the election. But not to decide who will be our candidate, after all, they are not delegate.
Those at the briefing include State Organising Secretary Alhaji Isah Abubakar, Zonal Youth Leader Hon. Noah Akwu, APC Bassa LGA Chairman Mallam Isiaka S. Ibrahim alongside stakeholders and governorship aspirants under the platform of the APC in Kogi state.
