Kogi Governorship: National, State Assembly Members-Elect Declare ‘No Vacancy in Lugard House’
All Progressives Congress (APC) National and State Assembly members-elect from Kogi State have unanimously endorsed Governor Yahaya Bello for a second term in office, declaring that there is “no vacancy” in Lugard House.
The lawmakers also dismissed claims that the governor had underperformed, arguing that his administration had recorded achievements in several critical sectors of the state.
The forum was led by the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, and comprised two senators-elect, seven House of Representatives members-elect and all 25 members-elect of the State House of Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Kolawole said it had become necessary for APC lawmakers-elect, as major stakeholders in the party and the state, to make their position known ahead of the governorship election.
According to him, the APC’s strong performance in Kogi State during the 2019 general elections was partly attributable to what the group described as the purposeful leadership of Governor Bello.
The lawmakers claimed that the membership of the APC in Kogi had increased significantly since 2015 and that the party had moved from internal divisions to becoming a more united political organisation.
Kolawole argued that a successful political team should not be changed midway, saying the governor deserved another term to consolidate on the programmes of his administration.
The forum cited security, education, infrastructure development, civil service reforms and human capital development among the areas in which it believed Bello had performed well.
On the basis of those achievements, the National and State Assembly members-elect announced their unanimous endorsement of Bello for another term as governor.
They also said they had resolved to contribute funds toward the purchase of the APC governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for him.
The lawmakers pledged to mobilise supporters across their respective constituencies to ensure the success of Bello and the APC in the governorship election.
They described the governor as a leader who, in their view, pursued development across the state without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or religion.
The forum also warned party members against actions capable of creating division within the Kogi APC.
It assured the APC National Working Committee that contrary to reports of internal crisis, the state chapter remained united and prepared for the forthcoming governorship election.
