The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State on Wednesday said that the reported defection of 100 party members from Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area should be disregarded, as the supposed defectors were deceived into the government house in Lokoja.
Recall that the debated defectors were led by the former caretaker chairman of Igalamela LGA, Abdullahi Ibrahim, Adama Sani and Aikoye Anu, and others from Ajaka Ward I and II to meet with Governor Yahaya Bello.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mr Abdullahi pledged their support for the APC gubernatorial candidate, Usman Ododo, in the upcoming Kogi election.
Mr Abdullahi explained that their decision to join the APC was based on the remarkable achievements of the current administration, which had positively impacted all local government areas in Kogi.
He expressed their readiness to work toward securing victory for the APC in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi.
However, in a statement signed by the Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Party Chairman, Attai Ndanusa Salifu, the party said the exercise was thr handiwork of mischief makers scared of the popularity of the PDP ahead of the November 11th governorship election in the state.
According to him, PDP Ajaka ward 1 Chairman, Anthony Abu and his Ward 2 counterpart, Achema Amodu had since received an apology from one of the party members, Ndah Salifu who said they were deceived to the Government House by some desperate politicians loyal to the APC.
“Some of our party members from Igalamela Odolu Local Government were on their way to the PDP Secretariat in Lokoja for an official political meeting.
“Just as we see ourselves as brothers, some members of the APC called them for dialogue for the interest of the Local Government and Kogi State in general.
“They listened to the clarion call irrespective of their political affiliation. Surprisingly, when they got to government house, those desperate APC politicians took them to Governor Bello, telling him that these are PDP members who defected to the APC from Igalamela Odolu Local Government. Even Ajaka one and two PDP Chairman were shocked with this development.
“They felt betrayed as that was never their intention when they were invited by their brothers from the ruling APC to the Government House. PDP remains intact and a formidable force in Igalamela-Odolu Local Government.”
Salifu noted that the PDP remained committed to the candidature of Senator Dino Melaye and his running mate, Hajia Habiba Deen to take over Lugard House come November 11, 2022.
According to him, the PDP will win overwhelmingly in the Local Government to rescue Kogi State from the alleged mal-administration of the ruling APC.
