Kogi 2023: APC Candidate Visits Business Mogul, Omokore, Monarchs

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Ahead of the November 11 gubernatorial election in Kogi State, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and his running mate, Joel Oyibo Salifu, and other prominent party stakeholders have visited business tycoon and opinion leader, Chief Jide Omokore, at his residence in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Council.

While speaking, Ododo, who was accompanied by other APC loyalists, told his host that as a prominent stakeholder in the Kogi State’s political and economic sector, it is imperative for him to formally visit and inform him of his governorship bid, while also briefing him about his plans and policies for the people of the state if elected.

He spoke on the multi-sectoral impacts of the current New Direction administration of the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, adding that despite being derailed by legal tussles in the first tenure, Governor Bello managed to weather the storm and overcome the challenges.

According to him, “Admittedly, Governor Bello’s first tenure faced unnecessary legal battles, but his second term in office has been remarkably fantastic and beneficial for everyone in the state and beyond. However, in our efforts to transition from the old governance model, we might have unintentionally offended and stepped on several toes.

“But for the sake of unity and the sustained development of our dear state, we must forgive one another and collectively work towards placing it on the pedestal of economic and political stability.

“It is with this spirit of unity that I seek your support and the support of your followers on the upcoming governorship election, so we can realise the Kogi State of our dreams.”

Ododo, therefore, reiterated the importance of Kogi State to national development due to its abundant natural resources deposited in virtually all local government areas in the state, and opined that Yagba East is specifically blessed with mineral deposits that largely remain untapped, adding that: “We must come together as one big family to harness these resources for the development of our dear state.”

Responding on behalf of the business tycoon, Chief Isiolu Chijioke, who spoke on behalf of ‘Friends of Omokore’, pleaded with the state government to come to the aid of the suffering motorists by giving the road from Aiyetoro-Gbedde to Egbe the urgent attention due to its deplorable condition.

He noted that however, the road is a federal road, he urged the state government to come to the aid of the suffering motorists, travelers, and business owners through palliative intervention, without over-dependence on the federal government.

According to him, “You do not need to wait for the federal government because the people suffering from the bad road are the people of Kogi State. The road is practically impassable, especially when it rains. I am happy you took the pain to travel through the road to Isanlu, and you saw how it is. If it rains, I’m sure you will get stuck along the way.”

Chijioke called for a peaceful election in the state in November devoid of violence, noting that as Nigerians,’ we do not need to kill ourselves because of the election.”

In his response, Chief Omokore commended the APC candidate and his delegation for deeming it necessary to consult him ahead of the election.

He noted that the APC candidate is truly passionate and assertive about his developmental plans for the state, saying he possesses traits of visionary leaders essential for the continued development of Kogi State.

Ododo and his team also paid homage to Agbana Isanlu kingdom, His Royal Highness Oba Moses Babatunde Etombi, for consultation and prayers, where all the traditional leaders of Isanlu kingdom gathered to pray and pledged their support for him in the November 11 governorship election.