The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has advised the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Marital Ajaka to accept the affirmation of Ahmed Usman Ododo as the duly elected governor of Kogi state in good faith.
This advice was contained in a congratulatory message to Ododo after the affirmation of his victory at the November 2023 polls by the State Election Petition Tribunal.
The tribunal on Monday, May 27, in Abuja, affirmed Ododo as the duly elected governor of the state.
Audu, in his congratulatory message signed by his special assistant on media, Lizzy Okoji, described the tribunal’s verdict as a testament to the choice of the people.
The Minister, who was the Director-General of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Campaign Council, which led the party to victory on November 11, 2023, has also called on the opposition to accept the verdict of the tribunal as an act of God and work together with the governor for the peace, progress, and development of the state.
“I want to congratulate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, on this well-deserved victory at the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal, which has further affirmed the free, fair, and credible polls that took place in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
“As Director-General of the APC Gubernatorial Campaign Council, I have always been confident in the capacity of Governor Ododo to deliver the dividends of democracy in Kogi state. I want to use this opportunity to urge the opposition party, the SDP to come together and work with the Governor for the development of our dear state. Let everyone sheath their swords irrespective of their political, ethnic, and religious differences, and give the governor all the support he needs to attain great success.
“I also want to congratulate our great party, the APC, for upholding its mandate in Kogi State. This is also a victory for the APC,” Audu stated.
The minister then urged Ododo to extend a hand of fellowship to the opposition party and work hard to deliver on his campaign promises to the people of Kogi state while commending him on his achievements in his first 100 days in office.
