A mammoth crowd stormed Yola, the Adamawa State Capital on Saturday to receive Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello who joined other stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Grand Defection of former Board of Trustees member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Grace Jackson Bent to the ruling APC.
Governor Bello whose recognition across national and Party lines has been astronomical, was ably represented by his political siamese twin and Deputy, Chief (Dr.) Edward Onoja CIK at the Defection Ceremony of the former Senator who led thousands of erstwhile PDP supporters into the APC Family.
As a rule of engagement, a delegation comprising of Their Excellencies: Governor of Yobe State and National Caretaker Chairman of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, represented by former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Governor Yahaya Bello, Governor of Jigawa State, Alh. Muhammad Badaru, Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, and Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Premier Ruler of Adamawa, HRH Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, CFR.
Also in attendance were a Assembly members of APC in Adamawa, representative of the First Lady, APC National Zonal Vice Chairman, North East, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Adamawa APC Caretaker Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Bilal, Decampee, Senator Grace Bent, Royal Fathers, religious leaders, other Party Executives at the State, LGAs, and Ward levels.
The entourage would later join Party loyalists at the Conference Hall of the Lelewal Hotel, Yola, where Senator Grace Bent formally dumped the umbrella for the broom. As former BOT member, she had represented Adamawa Southern Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, doubling as the first female Senator in the State, and North-Eastern Geo-Political Zone.
In a chat with Journalists, Chief Onoja said Senator Bent’s doggedness, determination, and visionary qualities which helped stabilize the PDP in Adamawa State is a political big-catch for the APC given her wherewithal to change the narratives of the APC across board in the coming months.
Promise Emmanuel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State
10th July, 2021.