By Muslimat Itopa
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo says the fourth coming Local Government election will be open to all APC members.
Governor Ododo made the declaration in Lokoja at a stakeholders meeting of the All Progressive Congress
Governor Ododo said the aspirants will be subject to direct primaries to ensure transparent nominations of the parties candidates for the election.
The governor stressed that the upcoming Local Government election is an opportunity for the party to gain public acceptance and promised to listen to all members
He noted that his administration will engage the state electoral commission to organize a free, fair and credible election.
To this end, men will be given sixty percent while forty percent will be given to women for nomination as candidates of the party, explaining that all vice chairmanship candidates must be women.
Governor Ododo warned that nobody will impose a candidate on them and urged the people to elect their leaders.
On more appointments into the state cabinet, the governor said he is delaying the announcement to ensure thorough scrutiny to ensure that those recommended for the appointment cut across the entire state.
The Governor while enumerating some of his achievement since assumption of office said they have consistently given empowerment to women and youths and quarterly distribution of palliative to cushion the effects of National rebuilding process of poor households.
“There have been huge investment in Agriculture to guarantee food security and upgrading of Primary Health care centers across the state to improve the health care delivery at the grassroots”
“The Construction and reconstruction of urban and township roads across the Twenty one Local Government Areas of the state with massive changes in the education sector” the Governor added.
The governor also announced the quarterly ministerial briefing by all the Commissioners and other top government officials to give account of stewardship to be coordinated by the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Governor Ododo appreciated President Ahmed Tinubu for his reassurance in reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and called on Nigerians not to engage in any form of protest that will cause mayhem in the country.
The state party Chairman Abdullahi Bello in a remark said the purpose of the meeting is for the party to brainstorm on how to win a free fair and credible Local Government election.
He highlighted some of the steps that have been put into consideration in the conduct of the party election to include inclusiveness, gender sensitivity, members contributions in the last November of off cycle election in the State and members that are financially active.
He Commended the immediate past governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello for laying a solid foundation for the growth of the party
In their separate remarks spokesperson from Kogi East Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho advocated for transparency , and credibility during the primary election.
While that of Kogi west Sunday Karimi called on party members to consider members who have sacrificed and done well for the Progressive party.
Similarly spokesperson from Kogi Central and member representing Ajaokuta Federal constituency Sani Egidi appealed to stakeholders to always consult for better results and engage the grassroots to win overwhelmingly.
Hajia Halimat Alfa who spoke on behalf of women urged them not to disappoint the party for the privilege given to them while spokesperson for the youth Muhammad U Muhammad reassured the party of the support of youth to win at the polls and called on the party Stakeholders to give Youth the Chance to produce more councilors in the wards.
