Kogi councils election: Kogi LG APC expresses readiness as stakeholders Passes Vote of Confidence on Engr Bashir Gegu
….Appeals for unity, cohesion, collective bargaining, meets APC stakeholders
….Adopts Zoning arrangements, Commends Gov Ododo”s selfless leadership
By Yahaya Idris, Kogi.
Meanwhile, the supreme court ruling declaring appointed LG officials null and void and granting the local government full autonomy to operate independently as part of concerted effort by President Bola Tinubu led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration to strengthen the third tier and democracy at the grassroots level.
According to report in the Global Times Nigeria revealed that Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KSIEC), has fixed October 19, 2024 for the conduct of democratic local government election in the state.
The apex Court also ordered that the Federal government financial allocation to 774 local government areas without elected officials, be withheld just as the joint allocation account committees in the states are no longer recognized under the law
Following the recent All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders meeting held in Gegu Beki, headquarters of zone C, Kogi Local area on Saturday, the Executive chairman, Kogi State Civil Service Commission, Hon Barr. Muhammed Tanko Musa (Osuku), has strongly advocated for unity and cohesion as the prepares for council election in the State.
Barr Tanko, a former Chief Administrator of Kogi local government also called on members of the party to avoid creating unnecessary confusion that may derailed the party chance to win the October 19, council poll.
The legal luminary equally praised the pragmatic leadership prowess of the State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engineer Abubakar Mohammed Bashir (Gegu), for carrying every members of the party along irrespective of religion and party affiliation, while assuring the commissioner of his full support, urged others to follow suit.
He enjoined Kogi local government populace to rally support Engineer Abubakar Bashir Gegu as to enable him succeed in office, declaring that he has represented the area well at the State Executive Council.
Tanko commended the people of Kogi LG for their support, solidarity and loyalty to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, noting that such support will continue to usher in more development in the area.
The State Civil Service boss, emphasized the need for Kogi LG people to key into the vision of present administration headed by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, even as he said the young Governor is ready to do more for their people.
Barr Tanko called for unity and cohesion among members as the party prepares itself for the 2024 LG election.
“We urge members to put their respective bitterness and bickering behind, so we can forge ahead and sustain our wining system in Kogi LG.”
“We are happy with the crop of leaders APC produced from Kogi LG, we are confident of a victory in the slated LG election.”
Speaking at the meeting, Kogi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engineer Abubakar Mohammed Bashir Gegu, said with measures put in place by Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, KSIEC, the APC is prepared to go into the election without further delay, charging members of the party to be up and doing as to win the upcoming election.
Mr. Bashir Gegu, emphasised that the Kogi LG APC will consult widely across the 11 electoral wards before concluding on who to field as the next Kogi LG Chairman and councilors of the various electoral wards.
He assured that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo government is a continuity of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, noting that the Governor has vowed to ensure equal distribution of wealth to the entire state.
The young Commissioner urged the party leadership at LG, wards and unity levels to adopt unity as council election coming close.
Explained that the leadership have setup of various committees to long into electioneering process, appeal and reconciliation which will go round to ensure what is expected is done in the area.
Other speakers who spoke during the meeting include, serving member representing Kogi/Koton- constituency at Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Idrees Maikudi Aliyu, commended Kogi LG leaders for calling for leadership meeting.
The lawmaker warned against nomination of unpopular candidates as to avoid unnecessary shock during the election.
He assured APC leadership in Kogi LG of his full support.
Contributing, the Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Emergency, Hon Muhammed Shuaib Asio, said the people of Kogi LG should consider themselves lucky to have Bashir Gegu as their political leader considering his impacts and using his office to usher in more development to the area.
He assured the people of Kogi of his full support in the slated council election.
Global Times Nigeria gathered that State Vice Chairman for western district of APC, former LG chairmen, councilors, state appointees, women leaders, ward Chairmen, LG party chairman host of former party leadership assured the congress that they’re in support of the APC and will mobilise massively for APC to win the upcoming election.
While 11 electoral wards in Kogi LG: Ukwo, Odaki, Koton-Karfe South East, Girinya, Irenodu, Akpasu, Tawari, Gegu North, Gegu-South, Chikara North and Chikara South all sent in their representatives and gave their input in the meeting.
Our correspondent report that, the APC in its unanimous decision reaffirmed their support to their leader and State Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Engineer Abubakar Mohammed Bashir Gegu.
The Kogi LG APC stakeholders said their decision to back Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources was based on his capacity, diligence and sincerity in handling party affairs and urged him to continue with his good work.
Similarly, the 8 point resolutions issued at the end of the meeting are as follow:
The stakeholders issued a communique at the end of the meeting revealed 7 resolutions made by the party leadership
According to the communique, the Kogi LG stakeholders meeting as follows
1. The APC stakeholders collectively agreed on zoning the Chairmanship to Zone C, saying the zonal arrangement is healthy to democracy and will promote fairness, equity and accountability.
2. The Kogi LG stakeholders also resolved that leaders are mandated to justly produce their councilors that will be accepted by all.
3. On gender sensitive and equality, the stakeholders assured women that a position will be taken and communicated to them in due cause
4. Initiate Central Election coordination committee that will monitor electioneering process: Appeal and reconciliation committees
5. The party also advoacte for effective rewarding system to be activated, this will take care of those who work for the success of the party at all level
6. The party leadership to meet with potential candidates vying for various offices and to be caution on why they’re been push to represent their people in government.
7. The stakeholders also promise to work hard to maintain its winning strategy and to defeat opposition parties in Kogi LG
8. Advised aspirants seeking to contest elective position to resign their appointments before making their interest known.
