Lokoja – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled Mr Joel Salifu as its Deputy Governorship candidate for the November 11, 2023 governorship election holding in Kogi State.
The candidate, Joel Salifu is the current Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kogi State.
He was unveiled as the running mate to Ahmed Usman Ododo, the party’s governorship candidate at a well attended ceremony in Lokoja on Saturday, January 3, 2023.
While formally unveiling Salifu, the state Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Bello, said he was carefully chosen to represent the interest of workers in government.
Bello also said that Salifu’s choice underscored the respect and high recognition the APC has for the teaching profession.
He described teachers as the builders of the society , saying that the choice of the state NUT Chairman for the Deputy Governorship slot was a mark of honour for all teachers in the state and beyond.
Bello then called on all teachers in the state and indeed all workers to rally round their own and give him the necessary support by coming out to vote en masse for the APC in the coming governorship election.
The National President of NUT, Titus Amba, in his speech at the event said the choice of Salifu was a due recognition of important roles of teachers in the society .
He said the spirit and morale of class teachers will further be boosted by the choice of Salifu by APC.
“One day, a teacher will emerge governor of Kogi State. I thank Governor Bello on behalf of the teachers of Kogi State for giving us the deputy Governorship position,” he said.
Amba called on teachers in the state to mobilise support for credible leadership that will improve their welfare and that of other workers.
Amba promised to give moral support to the APC in the forthcoming governorship election.
He also promised to relocate to the state to mobilise for the APC ticket and to monitor the governorship election firsthand.
According to him, teachers’ involvement in the campaign is crucial support to the electoral victory of Usman Ododo and Salifu’s candidacy.
Salifu while speaking at the event solicited the votes of teachers, workers and pensioners for the APC in the election.
He expressed his readiness to sincerely serve the state and her citizens as the Deputy Governor.
“I’m fully ready to see that your new direction policy is not jettisoned,” he assures Governor Yahaya Bello who was also present at the event.
Salifu who is also the state treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) hails from Ofu Local Government area of the s.tate.
Governor Yahaya Bello, in his speech rejoiced with teachers in the state on the nomination of Salifu as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the ruling APC.
Bello said Both Ododo and Salifu work in the local government system with a ‘good’ record of public service and a determination to reform local government administration in the state.
“We present a delectable team with the combination of Ododo and Joel Salifu for the governorship race.
“In the new spirit of Kogi State, language or ethnicity, religion, and the class difference will never be a barrier to anyone’s success in politics; anybody can become whatever God destined him to become without limitations.
“Today in Kogi State, a teacher is now recognised for political leadership in our state, and both teachers, trade union members, and leaders are unanimous that it must be our party because Mr. Salifu represents the labour movement in our next government for the first time in our historic life,”the governor said
The governor expressed confidence that the APC will win the governorship election with a landslide
“In the game of politics, I don’t take anything for granted.
“In this particular game, I will leave no stone unturned; we will do all things we can in accordance with our laws to ensure we have an overwhelming clean victory.
“We have something to show to people and we have something to show that we can do more for the people.
“By the grace of God, I’m confident that we are going to be successful in the coming election,” he said
Governor Bello, however, warned politicians in the state to stay away from violence and unguarded comments as his administration would not hesitate to deal with trouble-makers.
“Don’t indulge in violence either by word or physical action.
“Let there be no reprisal attacks in any form under any circumstances as our government remains in charge, and we shall deal with anybody who foments trouble in the state.
“Everyone knows that I (GYB) don’t take nonsense, and I will not take nonsense from criminals,” Bello stated
(vitalnewsngr.com)
