With discussions still ongoing regarding the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, various socio-political groups in the state have lauded the decisions by the SDP candidate, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, and the PDP candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, not to challenge the election outcome in court.
They described this decision as being in the best interest of the state and a demonstration of sportsmanship, qualities for which the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC is known.
The Kogi Progressives for Good Governance group also praised Senator Dino Melaye for not challenging the victory of Ahmed Usman Ododo in court.
Honorable Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, who secured the second position in the November 11 governorship polls with a total of 259,052 votes, declared during his appearance on the Channels TV program “Politics Today” on November 13 that he would not contest the victory of APC’s candidate Ahmed Usman Ododo at the election petition tribunal.
Similarly, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Senator Dino Melaye, stated during his Press Conference on November 29 that he would not challenge the electoral victory of the All Progressives Congress before the state election petition tribunal.
The group characterized the decisions of both candidates as thoughtful and in the best interest of the state. They called on other candidates and all Kogites to unite behind the governor-elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for the overall interest of the state.
The group advised political parties to sheath their litigation sword for the interest of peace and development of the state.
Dr. Okpanachi Akowe, the National President of Kogi Progressives for Good Governance, emphasized that the election was over, and that the focus should now shift to governance. He urged every citizen of the state to get involved and demand good governance from the governor-elect, Ododo.
In a statement delivered by the Secretary of the Association, Barrister Timothy Ilemona, in Lokoja on Monday, the group called on Governor-elect Ahmed Usman Ododo to foster deeper relationships with all stakeholders in the state. They emphasized that the state desired development, and only an atmosphere of peace, unity, and cooperation could guarantee this
The group urged Governor-elect Ododo to treat every senatorial district of the state equally, regardless of the election outcome where he emerged as the winner.
They also encouraged him to build on the legacies of peace, unity, security, and development left by the outgoing administration.
During his acceptance speech after receiving his certificate of return at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Lokoja a few weeks ago, Ododo called on all candidates who participated in the November 11 governorship election to join hands with him in moving the state forward.
