Lokoja – Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a significant gain when former Senator Atai Aidoko led many other political big wigs to decamp into the party.
Aidoko, who represented Olamiboro/Ankpa/Omala federal constituency and Kogi East senatorial district at the national assembly for 16 years joined the party on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
The former senator led other big wigs in the Kogi East senatorial district on a visit to Governor Yahaya Bello to pledge their support and formally joined the APC.
The Atai Aidoko group also during the visit endorsed Hon. Ahmed Usman Ododo, the APC candidate in the governorship election holding on November 11 in the state.
While welcoming Senator Atai Aidoko and his group members into the APC, Governor Yahaya Bello expressed delight that the entire People’s Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Olamaboro Local Government have all decided to join the APC.
Bello, commended Senator Atai Aidoko and other members for their courageous decision to join the APC.
The governor said their decision to join the ruling party will give them the opportunity to contribute to the state’s development.
He reiterated his commitment to maintaining an all inclusive government, where both long standing and new APC members are afforded equal opportunities to work towards the overall welfare of the people.
The Governor emphasised the significance of fostering unity among the ethnic groups in the state.
Acknowledging the division that existed along ethnic lines when he assumed office, he expressed satisfaction that the current administration had been able to successfully unite the people towards a common goal.
Speaking at the event, Senator Attai Aidoko said that the current agenda before Nigerians was national political integration, wherein individuals could actively play positive roles that would bring honour and glory to the state.
He emphasised the need for a broad-based coalition that transcends party and ethnic lines in order to achieve the overall progress and development of Kogi State.
Aidoko lambasted the proponents of ethnic agenda, describing them as narrow-minded and enemies of progress and development.
The state longest serving national assembly member advocated for a more inclusive approach that prioritizes the interests of all indigenes Kogi State, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.
He urged residents off the state to reject divisive politics and embrace a broader vision, so that Kogi State can achieve greater unity and collective prosperity.
He highlighted Governor Yahaya Bello’s influential position within the ruling party at both the federal and state levels, asserting that Bello serves as the ideal catalyst to integrate Kogi into the mainstream national politics.
Senator Aidoko argued that Kogi should no longer remain in national politics, given the ruling party’s electoral successes in the state since 2015.
While commending Governor Bello for his administration’s achievements, Senator Aidoko urged him to steadfastly pursue his vision for a greater Kogi State, free from narrow-minded agendas.
He then pledged delegation’s unwavering support and expressed their commitment to stand firmly behind the governor at all times.
Drawing on his extensive political experience in both chambers of the national assembly, Senator Aidoko vowed to utilize his wealth of political experience, particularly in the Eastern Senatorial District, to ensure the victory of the APC candidate in the November 11 governorship election.
With Senator Aidoko were the pioneer State Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, the former Chairman of the PDP, Olamaboro Local Government Area, ward chairmen and secretaries, as well as other key PDP party stakeholders.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
