Another wave of mass defection has hit opposition parties in Olamaboro LGA and across Kogi East Senatorial District of Kogi State on Saturday as former Senator representing Kogi East, Senator Attai Ali Aidoko led members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Olamaboro and across Kogi East into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors who also comprise members of other opposition parties were ably received by the State Deputy Governor, Chief (Dr) Edward Onoja, on behalf of Governor Yahaya Bello
In company of the Deputy Governor were the State APC Chairman, Hon Abdullahi Bello; Kogi East Zonal Chairman, Hon Nasiru Alfa; Olamaboro LG Chairman, Hon Friday Adejoh, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon Gabriel Olofu; Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon Idris Musa; former Deputy Speakers, Rt Hon Rabiu Alfa, and Rt Hon Ahmed Ahmed.
Others were LG Chairmen of Ankpa, Hon Ibrahim Abagwu; Omala, Hon Ibrahim Aboh; Lokoja, Hon Mohammed Dan Asabe; former APC Chairman, Hon Haddy Ametuo, amongst other stalwarts of the Party across the State.
Chief Onoja who welcomed the decampees commended Sen Aidoko for realigning with his political roots saying it heralds a major boost for the APC in Kogi State.
He noted that the event marked a homecoming for Sen Aidoko rather than a decamping as the APC remains his home, citing a history between him and the Igah born politician dating back to 2011 when Senator Attai Aidoko ran for Senate under the ANPP whilst he ran for Olamaboro State Constituency under the same platform and leadership of late former Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu of blessed memory because the Senator decamped to the PDP after the merger of the ACN, CPC and ANPP which brought the formation of the APC.
He described the former Lawmaker as a valuable asset to the APC due to his 16 years experience in the National Assembly, expressing confidence in his capacity for the victory of APC in the upcoming guber elections.
While revealing that Governor Bello is poised to integrate them into the party structure, Chief Onoja advised internal party stalwarts to shun politics of division, backbiting, and slandering for gains but rather prioritize engagement of the people instead of any schemes that promote violence.
Remarking, Sen Aidoko said one of the benefits of aligning with the ruling party as Igalas is the nomination of Prince Shaibu Abubakar as Minister of Steel Development. He emphasized the importance of looking past ethnic affiliations when choosing capable hands to consolidate the gains of
He promised to work for the victory of the party in the upcoming guber elections,urging Governor Bello to continually pursue his broad-based agenda of peace and the development of Kogi State.
Promise Emmanuel
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State
August 26, 2023.
