Kogi State Forum of Former Political Office Holders under His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello’s First Tenure, 2016 – 2019 congratulates the All Progressives Congress (APC) family members and the duo of Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, APC Guber Candidate and Comr. Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo, APC Deputy Guber Candidate for the landslide victory at the Appeal Court ruling in Abuja on the Primary Election, which held in April, 2023.
In a press statement personally signed and made available to our correspondent, Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Dr. Bawa Dangana who was formerly a Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor on Legislative and Assembly Matters (2016 – 2019), stated that many Communities in and around Ankpa particularly ENJEMA COMMUNITY in Ankpa has endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Guber Candidate, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo (The Flower Boy) and his running mate, Comr. Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo.
On the call by some evil-doers and despot individuals for the Federal Government of Nigeria to halt release of N5 Billion Palliative Fund, one Abubakar Y. Ojimaojo purportedly writing from Ankpa can not be real, as it is believed he is a sponsored member of the Opposition Parties and naysayers that are advocating for postponement of FGN’s palliative fund release, which will be draconian, punitive, unfair and negates the principles of equity, fairness, transparency and accountability.
Recall penultimate Thursday that, the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON approved the sum of N5 Billion Palliative Fund for each State in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This was a move aimed at alleviating the impact of fuel subsidy removal by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration; and a positive step.
Since the elections umpire (INEC) lifted the campaign ban, Kogi State Government under the able, dynamic and purposeful leadership of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello is fully prepared and ever ready to support the conduct of a free, fair, credible and acceptable Guber election on November, 11th 2023. The Yahaya Adoza Bello-led administration assures of a level playing ground and legacy of fair election in Kogi State.
Methinks if the FG should heed to the ill agitations and proposal of the wailers and naysayers, by withholding the Palliative Fund until probably after the November, 11th election, the delay will equate to denying the People and Kogites much-needed relief. The Forum advises therefore, that FG should not halt the N5 Billion Kogi State Palliative Fund, just as it calls on the opposition parties to consciously close ranks and work assiduously for the good, best interest and development of Kogi State of our dreams.
Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Bawa Dangana used the medium, on behalf of other well meaning and patriotic members to also call on Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi, CON (immediate past Senator, representing Kogi West Senatorial District) to make a retrace of his steps, bury his self pride and honourably come back to his big united family (APC) where he rightly belongs before the doors are shut against him, and too late to rejoin.
In conclusion, Hon. Dangana has therefore, requested that we all use this period and moment to fervently pray for peace, unity, tranquility and stability of the State in particular, and the Country in general.