By Femi Ogunshola

The Kwara Progressives (TKP), a group within the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara says it will repeat the 2019 Ótógẹ́ feat used to secure victory for the party.

Mr Gbenga Oyeyemi, the Convener made the pledge in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the Ótógẹ́ mantra was a viable vehicle used to send the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) out of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ótógẹ́ is the slogan for the political revolution that took place in Kwara in 2019 General Elections.

Ótógẹ́ in Yoruba means “enough is enough” and has been described by election observers as an impactful word campaign slogan effectively used to end decades of political hegemony of Saraki’s dynasty in Kwara

Oyeyemi however said TKP would go on a massive mobilisation for the candidates of the party across board, adding that no stone would be left unturned to ensure victory for the party.

He said TKP, which was birthed on Jan 3, at Idofin in Oke-ero Local Government Area of the state would embrace a new method of reaching out to electorate in a bid to woo them ahead of the election.

Oyeyemi said the mission of TKP was to ensure all candidates of the party from the State House of Assembly to Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, the governor, were returned

He said that in the Presidential elections, TKP would help secure victory for the six candidates of House of Representative, the three Senators and the Presidential candidate of the party were voted.

He said that the group, which cuts across the 16 LGA of the state would not rest on its oars until in the message of APC was spread across the state.

He commended the state governor for his outstanding performance since elected as governor of the state, adding that his achievement had made TKP job easier.

Oyeyemi recalls that before the 2019 election, all elective offices in Kwara were nominated and won by loyalist of Saraki’s dynasty led by the late Dr Olusola Saraki.

“He however transferred the mantle of leadership to his son, Dr Bukola Saraki a former President of Nigeria’s Senate,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews,ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

By Bridget Ikyado

The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu has expressed optimism that the party would win the forthcoming general elections in Benue.

Adamu expressed the optimism during the inauguration of the Alia/Ode 2023 gubernatorial campaign rally at NKST Primary School, Yandev, Gboko Local Government area of the state.

The APC national chairman was represented by Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa-Rijau, the party’s National Vice Chairman, North Central.

He said that the APC has very strong base in Benue and “will reclaim its lost mandate, remodel and develop the state to meet the desires of the citizens.

“From the turn out, capped with the landmark achievements recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the party’s mandate that was stolen in 2015 must return to APC in 2023,” he said.

Adamu advised all party members to turnout on election days to vote for the APC.

He added that they should reach out to all nooks and crannies of the state to canvass for votes to ensure overwhelming victory of APC in the forthcoming elections.

In his address, the Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Edward Onoja who spoke on behalf of the APC North Central Governors, called on party members to engage in robust campaign across the state.

Onoja appealed to Benue citizens to shun voter apathy, vote buying and selling, as well as violence during the elections.

The leader of the party in Benue, Sen. George Akume called on the people to vote for the APC in order to change the current negative indices in the state.

“Get your PVCs and vote for APC, shun vote buying and selling, desist from all forms of electoral violence and any form of attack or intimidation should be reported to the authorities ,” he said.

Akume said that the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu would transform the country, including Benue, if elected.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for accommodating Benue sons in his administration in spite of the present governor’s opposition.

Akume also thanked the president for ongoing infrastructure projects, including higher institutions in the state.

”We have federal roads some under construction and some under rehabilitation.

“We have the Federal Polytechnic Wannue, Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo and the construction of River Buruku which was underway, to name a few,” he added.

Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the APC governorship candidate, pledged to address issues of security, education, agriculture, health, salaries and pension within few months, if elected.

“Top most on our agenda will be the resuscitation of Benue Agricultural, Development Authority, rural roads for access to our farms to curb insecurity and post harvest losses.

”We will revive our general hospitals and primary healthcare centres to address rates of mortalities; Benue infrastructure, moribund companies and social amenities will be revived,” he said.

The APC governorship candidate assured Benue workers that “ they will smile again”, adding that the civil service would be restructured and reformed for effective service delivery.

Earlier, the Director General, Alia/Ode campaign organisation, Rev. Frederick Ikyaan, urged voters to elect all APC candidates in order to emancipate themselves from the shackles of poverty, deprivation, ineptitude and negligence.

“Today’s event is symbolic. The day heralds the conscious and vehement decision of Benue people to launch a leadership campaign that is purposeful and divinely prepared to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the teeming Benue masses.

”It is the leadership that God Himself had conceived and hatched through his servant from his vineyard.

“God cannot make a mistake by this choice hence, the need for all to be part of this success story,” Ikyaan said.

The APC state Chairman, Comrade Austin Agada said the inauguration of the campaign was the beginning of a “great revolutionary leadership process” in Benue.

He called on party faithful, the business community, workers, pensioners, artisans, the physically challenged and all others to vote massively for the APC in the forthcoming elections.

Others who canvassed support for Tinubu, Alia and other candidates at the rally included a businessman, Mr Moses Ayo and Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers Council, who was represented by Titus Zam, APC candidate for Benue North West Senatorial District.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hundreds of defectors from other political parties were received during the rally, while flags were presented to all APC candidates. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Olukayode Babalola

SDP Senatorial candidate for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Alhaji Ahmed Wadada and Mr Jonathan Gaza (SDP-Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency) have commenced ward campaigns to canvass for votes in the 2023 general elections.

The duo began their campaign rallies in Keffi Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Wadada is vying for the Nasarawa West Senatorial District seat, Gaza is seeking reelection to continue to represent Karu/Keffi/Kokona constituency at the House of Representatives.

So far, the SDP candidates had visited Tudun Kofa, Gangaren Tudu, Yara, Iya II and Iya I Wards where they interacted with mammoth crowds who chanted various slogans in support of their aspirations.

Speaking after the campaigns, Wadada lauded the high turnout of of people at the various wards and attributed the development to his party’s acceptance by the electorate in the area.

“I want to assure you that this is not a rented crowd. This is a build up crowd.

“When we left my house with Honourable Gaza and other party members, we had only our vehicles on the convoy.

“As we drove from the campaign office to the first venue, the crowd began to build up.

“We are too much and widely accepted by the special grace of God.

“The team of Wadada, Gaza and others will be ingrates if we rent crowds given the love and acceptance the people had freely offered us,” he said.

Wadada said the affection and support shown by the crowd was reciprocal to the support and concern the party and its candidates have shown to the people, especially the poor in the past.

“Every local government we go, you will see exactly this turnout because it is about the people and we have been with the people.

“We have shown love. We have shown concern. We have shown care to the people.

“When I represented this Federal Constituency, my representation was a caring, educating and enlightening representation.

“It was also a very laudable and effective representation and that is exactly what Honourable Gaza is doing.

“The other candidates with us have not been elected before, but by their antecedents, they have cared, shown love, managed the people,” he said.

Wadada added that the significance of the campaign inauguration was to show that SDP and its candidates were the best choices for the seats they were contesting for.

In an interview, Gaza said since he ventured into politics he has made it a personal policy to work for the people who elected him and not take what belongs to others for himself.

This, he added, informed the popularity he has been enjoying and the large turnout of people to show support for him and SDP.

“I keep what is for the people to the people and what is for me by way of my allowances, I keep for myself.

“So, having the fear of God and the ultimate desire that knowing that one day when you leave this earth is very important.

“Once you have this and you know that you are going to meet your creator and you are going to give account, by God’s special grace, you will do your best,” he said.

Gaza said that he was focused on winning the 2023 general elections and getting another opportunity to serve his people for another term of four years.

He assured, “every ward across the federal constituency and the senatorial district would be visited and the people afforded the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with the party and its flagbearers in the zone.”

Also speaking, Mr Abdullahi Abubakar, the SDP candidate for Keffi East Constituency in Nasarawa State House of Assembly, said the chances of winning any election lied with the people.

“From every indication, we have seen that the mammoth crowd here will give us the maximum votes we deserve and by the grace of God, we will come out victorious,” he said.

NAN reports that the highlight of the event was the distribution of 100 wrappers and a cash donation of N350,000 in each of the five wards visited in Keffi Local Government Area. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani