Christiana Ekpa
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Dino Melaye has promised to retire All Progressives Congress (APC) to political oblivion.
He stated this in Lokoja during the inauguration of the PDP Local Government election campaign committee of the 21 local government councils held at the party Secretariat yesterday.
The former Kogi West Senator who berated the ruling party over alleged maladministration, non-payment of salaries, and insecurity, admonished electorates not to be intimidated, before, during and after the November Governorship election.
He said Kogi State has become a laughing stock among the comity of States, stressing that, the present administration has succeeded in dividing the people along ethnic and religious lines.
Melaye, while appreciating the Local Government Chairmen for their steadfastness towards securing victory for the party, posited that, when elected, Kogi State will be wearing a new look.
The PDP candidate said ” This election is a walkover for PDP because of maladministration, poverty, non-payment of salaries, gratuity, promotion are not being cash backed and many more. The people of Kogi State are not happy as they are looking for a messiah that will save them from captivity.
“Dino Melaye and Habiba are saying here we are, send us. I want to advise especially our Local Government Chairmen, you have all become evangelists and Imam to encourage our people to come out and vote. Our people are afraid because APC has sold fear in the minds of the people. I am telling you that as Dino Melaye, I am not afraid of Yahaya Bello or the APC.
” I am assuring us, let the people of Kogi State show that we are not cowards. As citizens of Kogi State, we are not a conquered territory. We will come out and vote, and campaign in all the nooks and crannies of the State including Agasa, the home town of Governor Bello.
“The PDP is a party with plans, well organized, who uses power for the interest of the People. Today, any Kogites that are still thinking of voting for the APC have what I call Arthritis of the brain. No sane logical human being will today vote for APC in Kogi State.
“Is it about our roads? In the last year, there has been no drop of water in Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State. Is it about the dilapidated hospitals that have become mere consulting clinics? Is it about non-payment or percentage payment of salaries? Is it about insecurities of lives and properties?
“This is the first time in the history of our State that House of Assembly members and Commissioners have no vehicles. This is the first time in the history of our State that a permanent Secretary will be using Okada to move to office. This is the first time in the history of our State where workers were retrenched for frivolous reasons.
“This is the first time in the history of our State that 120 Professors were ceremoniously sacked from Kogi State University. They are qualified Professors who graduated from first-generation Universities in this Country. The screening at Kogi State University took them out of the system. By the grace of God, we are going to build a new Kogi State”
While appealing to electorates to kick against any form of ethnic agenda ahead of the November Governorship election, Melaye assured Kogites that his administration would reunite the people when elected.
Earlier in his remarks, the caretaker Chairman of PDP in Kogi State, Sen. Philip Aduda said the opposition party will put an end to bad governance in the state.
“We want activities to start immediately for the PDP to win convincingly in Kogi State. The party is fully on ground to deliver for Dino/Habiba in November. It is operation deliver your polling units and guide them from any obstacles.”
Speaking on behalf of the 21 Local Government Chairman, Olajide John from Kabba/Bunu assured his party faithful that no stone will be left unturned to guarantee victory for the PDP.
He maintained that the Chairmen will work in synergy and support the newly constituted Executive to deliver for the opposition party.
He said: “It is all about the party, our destiny and setting Kogi State free from the hand of a tyrant. By the special Grace of God, Kogi State will be free. We must work together by having trust, and confidence in each other. With this, we will attain our desired victory.”
