Kogi Guber: We Can’t be Intimidated, Say SDP Chieftains

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

Chieftains of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have stated that they cannot be intimidated by anybody as the race for the governorship race in Kogi State gathers momentum, noting that the party can win the forthcoming election with the right calibre of polling unit agents.

They all spoke at the unveiling of the Muri-Sam manifesto/fund-raising event in Abuja at the weekend.

Chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) and SDP senator representing Nasarawa West, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada; National Chairman of the party, Shehu Gaban, and the party’s candidate for the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, Murtala Ajaka, all expressed confidence about victory, adding that they were not scared of any intimidation.

Addressing the gathering, Wadada said: “We have no reason to be scared of anything, neither do we have any reason to be afraid of anything. And  if we have any reason to be scared or afraid, certainly not because of the political parties around.

“So, what reason do you have to be scared or intimidated by somebody that you have been in and around the arena before him, know the terrain before the person. We won’t be scared, intimidated, neither will we be bamboozled.

“Election is about the people and whenever the people speak, they must be respected, we had our own in Nasaraw State which is an open secret.

“You can put the best literature as your manifesto but for me to believe a politician’s manifesto, I must put it side by side with the person.

“Power doesn’t change anybody; power brings out the real person in you.”

The National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Gaban stated what was necessary was for Muri (Murtala Ajaka) and the party to convince the people to come out en masse, vote and protect their votes.

“What is relevant is for you to convince your people to go out en masse and cast their votes and protect those votes. Elections in Nigeria today is all about polling unit agents, no more no less. If you don’t have the right polling unit agents ist is as good as you have lost the election. All our polling unit agents and those who help to get them together must do everything humanly possible to ensure they protect the interest of this party and of Muri.”

“This party gave its ticket to Muri because of his fearlessness, sagacity and his ability to confront difficult situations. Nobody should think that SDP is going to be afraid or intimidated,” he said.

He called for team work between the party and Ajaka’s team to ensure victory come November 11.

 “Let’s work as a team to win this election because everything will be deployed to intimidate the process but they have run out of luck, because some of us cannot be intimidated.

“And I am happy to say that the security agencies are doing wonderfully well to make sure the state is secured and we are also following up INEC pronouncements as regards to Kogi and other off season elections and we are not alarmed,” he stated.

He urged President Bola Tinubu’ to make sure that security agencies provide adequate security in the three states where governorship election will be taking place to ensure credible outcomes.

On his own part, the SDP governorship candidate,  Ajaka promised to deliver on his seven-point agenda when elected as governor of Kogi State.

He appreciated those who made donations of over N2billion  for his electioneering  towards winning the Kogi State governorship election.