By Yahaya Idris, Kogi.
Ahead of the 2023 general election, the entire executive members of All Progressives Congress, APC, Kogi local chapter, Saturday hosted one of their critical stakeholders and a frontline House of Representatives Aspirant due for Lokoja/Koton-karfe federal constituency, Hon. Chief Saidu Akawu Salihu ( Galadima of Igu Kingdom).
Receiving the prominent stakeholder and aspirant vying for House of Representatives, the local party chairman, Hon. Abubakar Onah commended Chief Akawu for starting his consultation from the grassroots level and particularly the host party host LG.
Global Times Nigeria’s Correspondent report that the party event attracted all executives from the three (3) districts of the council.
Mr. Onah told the aspirant that they (the party) are aware of the existing agreement and the promises made by the Kogi State political leader and incumbent governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello when he prevailed in the 2019 contest between Hon. Saidu Akawu Salihu and Hon. Abdulkarim Usman Wambai later emerged to allow the area complete 8 years and moved it to Lokoja as part of efforts to sustain existing peace and progress between the two sisters’ LGAs.
Hon. Chief Saidu Akawu Salihu, Chairman of Board Rubber Research Institute Benin, Edo State has declared his intention to run for the House of Representatives seat.
Other party chieftains who spoke at the declaration ceremony described Chief Akawu Salihu as a core party man, humble, sincere, hardworking, and grassroots political leader who will always want the best for his people.
In separate remarks by Hon. Saidu Akawu Salihu’s Campaign Organization, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi Ohikwura emphasized the need for the party to speak in one voice towards galvanizing the support of their leader and aspirant. He described Hon. SAS is a rare political leader with his people at heart.
“Hon. Saidu Akawu Salihu is a leader, mentor and a personality loved by all, his antecedent has continued to endear him to the people within and outside the State.”
The prudent financial expert who doubles as the Mattawallen Igu Kingdom added that SAS has structures in all the nooks and crannies of the Lokoja/Koton-karfe federal constituency, that it will be easier for the party to maintain its winning status.
A former chairmanship aspirant in the area, Hon. Mohammed Shuaibu Asio congratulated the party executives and people of Kogi local government for having a leader like Hon. Chief Saidu Akawu Salihu running for the position of the House of Representatives representing the Koton-Karfe/Lokoja federal constituency, said Chief Akawu’s outing marked the beginning of an era.
He solicited the support of all including the people of Lokoja LG reciprocate what Kogi LG people have been doing for time immemorial.
Also speaking, the former council secretary, Hon. Mohammed Babaji Ndako thanked the party executives for reaffirming their unflinching support for their leader, saying such support won’t go unveil.
Chief Akawu made this intention known at a Local Government party’s headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koton-care on Friday.
He said that it was imperative to seek the consent of the people in a bid to realize his ambition, adding that he chose to begin his campaign with the people at the grassroots because charity begins at home.
The House of Representatives hopeful aspirant said he knew the challenges facing the people were enormous but with the support and cooperation of the people, they would be overcome.
Hon. SAS as he is fondly called was a former commissioner in the State, added that it would not be proper to allow some persons from Lokoja Local to destroy the existing peace and political arrangement nurtured by the crown political leader in the State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza, Executive Governor of Kogi State.
He said his primary objective was to bring progress and development to the Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency.
The former lawmaker while addressing the party faithful noted that his own experience and goodwill will count.
He urged the party faithful to shun politics of bitterness and pull-him-down syndrome, nothing that such brand of politics belongs to the past.
Chief Akawu assured the people that he would continue to consult other party leaders, youths, and stakeholders in the constituency in a bid to realize his ambition.
He stressed that Lokoja/Kotonkarfe federal constituency would again witness unprecedented representation if given the chance at the green chambers.
He equally praised the leadership capacity of the governor for securing the area and attracting critical infrastructural development, adding that Governor Yahaya Bello’s indelible legacies will forever be remembered.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to bless and reward the young governor with the presidential position so that he will consolidate on the achievement of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Hon. Saidu Akawu Salihu was accompanied by stakeholders, former leaders and serving, youths, women, and elders group among others.
