Kogi East Youths APC Movement Kicks Against Political Bigots Promoting Ethnic Agenda

• Governor Ododo Has Demonstrated ‘Politics Without Bitterness’

By Abubakar Suleman

The Kogi East Youths APC Movement has called for renewed unity for significant and accelerated development in the state as envisioned and pursued by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

This call was made in a Press conference organised by the kogi East youth APC Movement at NUJ press centre , lokoja on Monday. Stakeholders were drawn from the 9 Local government areas of the Eastern senatorial district comprising Igala and Bassa ethnic extractions.

The convener, Honourable Promise Emmanuel aka Kogi Rebel who said the reason behind the gathering was to address the political menace which have been left as legacy for the youths in the region by selfish politicians who only left ethnic tribalism and bigotry as succession plan for the youths instead of development, progressive leadership, and continuous unity of purpose.

He said it is this premise that the group reaffirmed their unalloyed support and loyalty for the All Progressives congress, APC, and to the Executive Governor of kogi state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Hon. Emmanuel warned those who continually used ethnic politics as a veil to mask their intention to seek their selfish political interest under the guise of fighting for the people to desist from it.

According to him, ” It is on this premise, we have decided to speak against the cancer of ethnic politics, regardless of who it favours, be it Ebiras, Igalas or Okuns and other minority ethnic groups in the state”.

According to him, “We also want to denounce in totality the continuous quest by politicians who decieve the youths by using the veil of ethnic politics to set us against our brothers and sisters from the other divides, today, we would like to be put on record as youths from kogi east , Igala-Bassa nation are not ethnic bigots as being peddled by some hired political hustlers, we are progressive nation that accomodates other ethnic groups in the state”.

He further said what happened in the last election for some ethnic bigots pitching the youth against each other can never occur any longer in our democratic journey, “saying from kogi east can never allow themselves to be covered by ethnic sentiments.”.

“This is the time to embrace ourselves, with love and affection for one another, and continue to support the laudable vision and mission of the present Governor of kogi state, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo”

“ Hon. Promise further highlighted major reasons Kogi East youths strongly supported the governor, saying fulfilment of his electioneering promises to stop percentage salaries at the local government councils is a major achievement, today, this action of the governor has changed the views and perceptions of many people, especially from the Eastern part of the state”, he stressed.

He further mentioned some other areas were the governor has touched interms of development , saying the approval of Olubo-Ojo gully site, road construction in Ankpa, the governor’s quick response to visit Omala crisis area clearly shown his deep commitment to peace and unity of Igala nation.

He however commended Governor Ododo for the procurement and distribution of 105 operational /security vehicles to twenty-one local government areas in the state, and also the job opportunities provided for 1000 hunters in all the local government areas.

He urged the entire youths in kogi east to come together and support Governor Ododo to deliver the dividends of democracy as trustees of the people with whom common humanity is shared.

In his own words, “We applauded the governor’s herculean task to finally bridge the deep tribal divide during the last governorship election, saying the governor’s efforts will ensure that the cancerous forces of ethnic agenda will not survive in kogi state any longer”.

” Kogi East Youth APC Movement remain optimistic that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo mandate is very credible and will be reaffirmed by the coming tribunal judgement in no distant time, Gov. Ododo’s election was free, fair and credible, so, we however trust in the impartial judges and legal institutions to reaffirmed Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as kogi Governor”,he said

In his own contribution at the end of the press conference, one of the stakeholders from Omala local government area, and the immediate past Senior Special Assistant to former Governor, Hon. Mathew Ochada, HMO, also thanked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his visit to the crisis area in Omala, saying that the entire youths in Omala appreciated his timely and prompt visit and also commended the governor for quickly informing the presidency about the incident, which led to the approval of military operational base in the local government area.

Hon. Ochada concluded saying Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has demonstrated that he is a man who played politics without bitterness.