Kogi Guber Poll: ADC seeks support from Ogori/Magongo stakeholders

The governorship campaign council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi State on Sunday wooed stakeholders in Ogori/Magongo Local Council, which included monarchs, religious such as churches and mosques. This visit was part of the ongoing campaign tour across the state led by Leke Abejide, the ADC’s governorship candidate for the November 11 election. He was accompanied by his running mate, Idris Omede, and several prominent party members from the Kogi Central Senatorial District.

At the Palace of the Uboro of Ogori, Professor Olu Akerejola, former Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Chairman of the ADC campaign council, Chief Shola Ojo, addressed traditional chiefs. He explained that the purpose of the visit was to seek the blessings of the monarchs for Abejide’s gubernatorial aspirations and to inform them about his plans for the state. Chief Shola Ojo also called on the people of Ogorimagongo to support the idea of power shifting to Kogi West Senatorial District, 32 years after the creation of Kogi State.

He highlighted the history of power distribution in the state, noting that the Igala and Ebira regions had held power for extended periods, and now it was time for someone from Kogi West to assume leadership. He emphasized that Leke Abejide, along with Senator Dino Melaye of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Olayinka Braimoh of the African Alliance (AA), was presented as the best candidate due to his outstanding track record and performance as a two-term member of the House of Representatives.

Abejide, after worshipping at the Ogorimagongo Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, expressed confidence in their victory in the upcoming governorship election. He believed that with the prayers and blessings they had received and the warm reception from the people of Ogorimagongo, their anticipated victory was within reach. He stated that his knowledge of the state’s issues and his ability to address them through various empowerment programs had prepared him to rescue the state from its current socioeconomic challenges.

Abejide mentioned his past initiatives, such as paying WAEC fees for six years, and his plans to extend such efforts to all 21 local government areas of the state. He also criticized the Yahaya Bello administration for offering free WAEC fees for SSS3 students just ahead of the election, questioning why it took seven years for this decision to be made.

He pointed out the economic potential of Ogori’s fertile land and highlighted his successful ventures in the agricultural sector. Abejide came from a private sector background with an entrepreneurial mindset and believed that he and his running mate, Dr. Idris Omede, were the ideal team to lead Kogi out of its current challenges.

The campaign tour also included visits to the Juma’at Mosque in Magongo, the palaces of Olu Magongo of Magongo, and the Chairmen of the Ogorimagongo Traditional Council. The campaign train addressed a large crowd of supporters at the palace of the regent of Olu of Ogori and Magongo Civil Centre.

Dr. Idris Omede, speaking at the Magongo Central Mosque, reminded his Muslim brethren of the importance of peace in Islam. He urged them to conduct themselves peacefully before and during the election and encouraged them to turn out in large numbers to vote for the ADC. He emphasized that the ADC was the only party trusted to fulfil its campaign promises based on the track record of Abejide and himself.