Ahead of the November Kogi State Governorship election, OAU Mandate Group, a leading socio-political group loyal to the APC governorship candidate in the state, Alh. Ododo Ahmed Usman has commended Governorship aspirants in the party, Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu and the former Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Sanusi Ohiare for sheathing their sword from the fallout of the primaries, saying that they have behaved honourably and demonstrated astute loyalty to the party ahead of the November 11th Kogi governorship election.
The two APC leaders who sought the party’s ticket had withdrawn their suit against Alh Ododo who won the party’s ticket and emerged the flag bearer.
They said their decision to discontinue the court case is borne of out of their desire to ensure victory for the party in the November election, a feat known only with people of High spirit of sportsman and truly committed heroes of democracy in the coming election for APC.
Prince Audu, son of late former Governor Abubakar Audu had after his meeting with governor Yahaya Bello in Abuja on Tuesday announced that his decision to withdraw the case was in the interest of the party.
Ohiare, also declared “unalloyed support” for Ododo on Tuesday.
Reacting to their decision in a statement on Wednesday, the Director of Communications of OAU Mandate Group, Dr. Samuel Olufemi noted that the duo have demonstrated sportsmanship and the spirit of true party men, urging Sen. Smart Adeyemi who is the lone Claimant in the case to join forces with Ododo and secure victory for APC.
The group said only one candidate can emerge at a time, noting that the primary election which produced Ododo as the candidate held under free, fair and transparent circumstances, faulting Sen. Adeyemi’s claim that the primary never held.
“We must commend these great leaders of our party, Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu and Engr. Sanusi Ohiare for demonstrating sportsmanship in its best form with their decision to withdraw the litigation against our governorship candidate, Usman Ododo.
“That goes to show that our party in the state is now firmly united and prepared to prosecute our election as one united house without any form of distraction.
“We must also appeal to the last aspirant in court, Sen. Smart Adeyemi who appears to be the only one still in court contesting the victory of Ododo to join forces with the rest of the comrades in moving our state forward by supporting the candidacy of Ododo who by God’s grace will be the next and 5th executive governor of Kogi State.
“He is indeed the least person we expected should contest the victory of Ododo in the manner he has, taking cognisance of the fact that he has benefited from the generosity of His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello who gave him maximum support to reclaim a pride of place in Kogi politics in 2019 Senate against the popular demand of a Yagba Candidate.
“It was governor Bello’s intervention that helped Sen. Adeyemi to secure our party’s ticket, ran and won his election after unsuccessful attempt in the past.
“We understand the pain of loss. As one who should provide the pathway, being a more experienced and elderly party man among the rest of the aspirants who have withdrawn their suit, we expect Sen. Adeyemi to also bury his hatchet and join forces with Ododo to ensure victory for APC”, the group urged.
It also called on all Kogites to offer their unalloyed support to APC and its governorship candidate, assuring that they will not regret it.