The National Association of Okun Students ( NAOS), on Tuesday announced the adoption of Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its consensus candidate for the November 11 governorship election holding in Kogi State.
The President of NAOS, Ajibade Olamilekan David made the announcement during a news conference in Lokoja.
Ajibade said it acted on behalf of thousands of Okun Students, and by extension, the entire Kogi West Students in tertiary institutions.
” We hereby assertively and unequivocally express our unalloyed support for the candidacy of the PDP candidate for Kogi State Governorship election, Senator Dino Melaye, come 11th of November 2023,” he said.
When reminded that Kogi West Elders Forum ( KWEF), a group of eminent politicians has already adopted the candidate of ADC, Hon. Leke Abejide, Ajibade said what KWEF did was a ‘ kangaroo adoption” which is not binding.
It will be also recalled that much earlier than now, before any party primary was conducted, this apex students’ body in Kogi West District, expressed the need to produce the next Governor of Kogi State from Kogi West District, as a fair, equitable and just consideration for any political party that upholds the tenets of democracy.
Ajibade explained that it was only the PDP that conducted “a free, fair, and transparent primary where a son of Kogi West, in the person of Senator Dino Melaye, emerged as the governorship candidate.
“We, however, reckon that we have three candidates from our district, Kogi West, all of whom are of Okun extraction.
“We also have access to the three, but after a careful analysis of the experience, the political network and impact across the district, the viability of their political parties and their capacity to leverage on state and national political structures, the inevitable and logical conclusion is that the PDP candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, is the best among them based on all relevant criteria, which are:
Capacity Acceptability Political Experience Accessibility Intellectual prowess Political structure Capacity
” The PDP candidate has proven beyond reasonable doubts that he has all it takes to make our dear State a prosperous place for all and sundry.
“The capacities he demonstrated during his last held positions are second to none in our history.
“Kogi West benefitted in project development during his term as Senator representing Kogi West,” he said.
Ajibade further explained that Dino,’s outspoken and vibrant spirit towards ensuring good governance in Nigeria and his zeal for growth put ahead of other candidates contesting the election.
Ajibade said : “After our long consultation, we noticed that the street credibility and love for Dino Melaye were not met by any other candidates.
“Our Students and Youths across Kogi West and across the entire scope of Nigeria see Dino Melaye as the Voice for the Voiceless and therefore have given their unalloyed pledge of vote to his candidacy.
“We have visited our various schools, and the Love for Dino is so massive that it is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf.
“Senator Dino Melaye was at various times a Student Union Leader like us.
“He became a Representative Member of Kabba Bunu/ Ijumu Federal Constituency.
“He went on to be elected twice as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is on record that he received the award of the most outstanding Senator during his terms in the Senate, where he served in various Capacities.
“His accumulated experience is adequate to recommend him for a greater responsibility. ”
He also described Dino as very accessible, saying that : ” Senator Dino Melaye is best in terms of relating with Students and Youths as he sees us as one of his constituents.
“He is a Comrade like us who always takes pleasure in meeting and interacting with us.
“His Love for Youths’ development is unprecedented and, of course, unequalled by any of the candidates.
“Intellectual prowess
“Senator Dino Melaye has obtained diverse credentials and administrative knowledge which make him soundly equipped and brilliantly positioned more than other candidates in our District.
“It shall be just enough to put all our eggs in a safe basket, to get it right now and for once.
“Senator Dino Melaye remains ever ready to bring the dividend of democracy and that of good governance to all citizens.
“Political Structure
“Recent political events in our nation has brought out the undeniable factor of political structure in attaining electoral success.
“The PDP, which Senator Dino Melaye represents is the most viable platform among the three parties that have presented candidates in the District.
” The Party does not only have vibrant structures in Kogi West, it is deeply rooted in the state and at the National level.
“Overlooking the PDP for some smaller parties will only amount to cutting the nose to spite the face.
“We call on all students, workers, and our hardworking but grossly underpaid parents to vote massively for Senator Dino Melaye, who is flying the flag of PDP on November 11, 2023.
“We say Amalia Awetsu (nothing shall discourage us) God Bless Kogi West.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
