From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress ( APC) in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi state have been charged to maintain high sense of integrity and party loyalty to ensure the smooth re-election of the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his running mate Chief Edward David Onojah in the November 16 Guber polls.
The Administrator of Omala LGC Hon. Ibrahim Aboh gave the charge over the weekend at Abejukolo , headquarters of the Council, during the decamping ceremony of over 1500 PDP stalwarts to the APC.
Hon. Aboh described the caliber of the people defecting from PDP to APC as a final death blow to the survival of the PDP , a one time ruling and powerful party in the LGA.
He added that the APC as a party recognizes the equality of every member regardless of the length of the time of membership assuring them of the capacity of APC to cater for all the members.
The Omala boss reiterated the commitment of the governor Yahaya Bello and his new direction agenda to uplift the status of the citizenry and ensure all round growth and development of the state.
He advised the new entrants to guard against rumour mongering and acts detrimental to the government and the people of the state urging them to consider the future of the state by working round the clock to guarantee the re- election of governor Bello and his running mate Chief Edward Onoja, so as to consolidate on the ongoing laudable programmes and projects.
He advise the defectors to always consider themselves as members of the party and not to sit on the fence , hinting that the level of political patronage is a function of the degree of one’s contribution to the success of the party at the poll.
While calling for concerted efforts to defeat the opposition parties by comfortable margin , said the governor deserved reelection for his development strides across Kogi East and across the state.
In a remark, the former Head of Service and now the leader of APC Elders in Kogi East Dr. Moses Atakpa commended the over 1, 500 stalwarts of PDP In Omala LGA for their courage to dump the party and embrace the APC which he said has come to liberate the people from bad governance of the past administrations.
Atakpa who described the defectors as people coming back to their homes urged them to dump negative attitudes that will not impact positively on the fortunes of the party.
In their separate speeches, the Technical Adviser to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon. Arome Alfa and Special Adviser to the governor on Special Duties Hon. Akoh Adaidu enjoined them to remain steadfast with the party and not to consider the defection as being coerced adding that APC placed premium on every member regardless of the time of joining the party.
Meanwhile, the former chairman of the LGA, Hon. Alih Ajuh led other frontline members of PDP including youth and women leaders and party faithful from across the wards in the LGA to the APC.
