Senator Smart Adeyemi has withdrawn from the Kogi West Senate race citing party’s interest and supremacy and the “overall interest of unity, peace, and victory for our great party.”
The three term senator in a strong worded press statement which he personally signed and made available to newsmen in lokoja on Sunday, said as a committed democrat, he believes politics must never be driven by bitterness or personal animosity but service to the people.
He stressed that the essence of politics is to represent the interests of the people, defend their welfare, and ensure peace, stability, and development of thestate and nation at large.
The statement reads :
“I have been duly informed and briefed about the position of stakeholders from the Western Senatorial District including other critical stakeholders, regarding the primary elections.
“After careful consultations and consideration of all submissions made, I have resolved to take into account very necessary factor that will ensure victory for our great party in the forthcoming gubernatorial and National Assembly elections.
“The stakeholders reached their conclusion during a solidarity meeting, following series of extensive consultations and harmonization meetings held over four consecutive times including the meeting held on Monday at the residence of Commander Jerry Omadara, Rtd. with other distinguish stakeholders.
“Having carefully reviewed all the issues raised, I hereby formally accept the collective position of the stakeholders, on rotational factor, and political considerations to ensure peace and stability.
“Following extensive deliberations and harmonization meeting over the past two weeks, including Friday consultations, the stakeholders, in their wisdom, resolve to endorse Senator Sunday Karimi to contest for another term representing Yagba Federal Constituency, despite the fact that five aspirants have indicated the interest in contesting for the position.
“Although I remain the sole aspirant from my own federal constituency, after carefully considering the provisions of the constitution and the collective position of the stakeholders, I have decided to withdraw from the race in the overriding interest of the great party, the APC so as to strengthen unity, Cohesion, and oneness within Kogi state.
”According to Martin Luther , ‘the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands at moment of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy’
“This decision has become necessary as we prepare for future electoral contest, particularly the Presidential and National Assembly Elections. I firmly believe that our unity will make us stronger and better positioned to achieve victory without unnecessary distractions or division.
“As a committed democrat, I believe politics must never be driven by bitterness or personal animosity. The essence of politics is to represent the interest of the people, defend their warfare and ensure peace, stability, and development of our state and nation at large.
”I therefore appeal to my supporters, loyalists, and associates across Kogi state and beyond to always place the interest of the party above personal ambition and I urged my supporters and other party faithfuls to go ahead and vote for Senator Sunday karimi as candidate of the party as my own kind of politics is without bitterness and animosity”
Senator Smart Adeyemi who emphasized the importance of the presidential election and the need for all to work collectively towards delivering overwhelming support and landslide victory for president Bola Tinubu said everyone must remain united and committed to the collective interest of Kogi state and Nigeria above every individual consideration.
