By Halimat Isah.
A new leadership to pilot the affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the next four years in Kogi has emerged as the party concluded its State Congress on Saturday.
The Congress which was held peacefully in Lokoja, the State Capital, produced Hon. Abdullahi Bello, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters as chairman. Bello is from Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The Congress also produced Hon. Ibrahim Ahove, Ahmed Attah and Ibrahim Abdulrahman as respective vice chairmen to represent Kogi Central, Kogi East and Kogi West Senatorial Districts in the newly elected executive.
Speaking at the occasion at the confluence stadium, Lokoja on Saturday, Governor Bello said the congress was a show of cohesion and unity within the party. The Governor who was elated with the outcome of the Congress said there is an evidence of internal democracy in APC as the party’s laid down procedures were strictly adhered to in the conduct of the Congress.
Governor Bello who described the exercise as free, fair and rancor free said members of the party have respect for one another and that his administration welcomes all members to the party with an open mind.
“Kogi is united and formidable and there are no factions as far as APC is concerned, my leadership will not stop running an open door policy, we will keep doing the best we can to bring everybody on board,” he elucidated.
The Governor appealed to the newly elected executives to uphold the objectives of the party and to continue to work hard to strengthen and unify the party and its members in the state.
“You can see the timber and caliber of men with me, which is overwhelming. APC in Kogi comprises great men and women with high responsibilities. I will keep saying, APC will sweep all the elective seats in the next elections, I can assure you”, he added.
Governor Bello while assuring of a rancor free primaries in the state, he expressed appreciation to party faithful and security operatives for maintaining calmness adding that the orderliness and maturity exhibited was commendable.
In his remarks, the congress committee chairman, Alhaji Ali Mohammed Makasi said of all the posts being contested, candidates on their own withdrew and presented a consensus candidate each for the various positions adding that the party allows for consensus most times so that there would be no rancor.
Makasi, while commending the delegates for their conduct and maturity, said over one thousand delegates which amounts to a total of 78 percent of the delegates where accredited for the exercise.
He congratulated the party members for the success of the congress saying that the new executives of the party are expected to serve for four years in their current capacities.
Also speaking, the state resident electoral commissioner, Professor James Apam described the exercise as transparent and orderly adding that he was on ground with his team to monitor the situation.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected state chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello thanked members of the party for the opportunity given to him and his members to serve and pledged their total support to the progress of the party’s affairs and to also justify the confidence reposed in them.
Hon. Bello called for the unflinching support of party faithful to the present administration and assured that a reconciliation committee that will look into the grievances of aggrieved members of the party will soon be set up.
Other members of the new executives are; Mr.Josiah Onoja from Olamaboro as Secretary, Bola Oshe as Tresurer from Ijumu, legal adviser is Barrister Babatunde James, state organising secretary is Hon. Kabiru Idris from Dekina, Fin Sec. is Andrew Nda, Auditor is Kunle Olojunja , PRO is Jibrin Abu, amongst others.
