From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
No fewer than 20 Support groups for Labour Party has withdrawn their support and pledged their loyalty to the standard bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Muritala Yakubu Ajaka in Kogi state
This was contained in a communiqué issued on Saturday by comrade Benjamin Isah, the leader of the 20 groups and addressed to Dr. Bala Sunday OMA, the leader of the OBI-DIENT movement in the state which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja.
In the communique, the group expressed their reasons for throwing their weight behind the SDP standard bearer, stressing that the development has the potential to impact the dynamics of the November 2023 election in Kogi State to no small measure.
The leader of the decamped 20 support groups, comrade Benjamin Isah, expressed gratitude towards the LP Support Group Forum for their previous collaboration, but outlined their reasons for withdrawing support at this stage of the struggle.
The groups, however, noted that their decision-making process to dump LP candidate for SDP standard was based on considerations of credibility, development, and the overall well-being of the state.
According to the communique, the support groups were influenced to the decision because Murtala Yakubu Ajaka’s Track Record; Acceptability, impact of the candidate in the society and human capital development which stood him out among the candidates vying for the coveted position in the November election
Explaining, the group leader stated that the members were dissatisfied with the party’s conduct in the past primary election, making the group to pass a vote of no confidence in the LP state executive.
The communique stressed that the resultant loss of faith on the executive members of the party played a significant role in their decision to distance themselves from their former party’s candidate in the forth coming governorship election in the state.
“The support groups recognized the achievements of Murtala Yakubu Ajaka and the believed that he would be better equipped to lead and foster growth in the state”,
“Extensive door-to-door surveys conducted by the support groups revealed that Murtala Yakubu Ajaka enjoyed significant popularity among the constituents of the Idah Federal Constituency.” It added.
According to the groups of 20 , the sound financial status of the SDP candidate is crucial in ensuring a successful campaign and eventual victory, while his widespread acceptance across the state further solidified their decision to endorse him as their governorship candidate.
Meanwhile, the leader of the OBI-DIENT movement in the state, Dr. Bala Sunday OMA has commended the bold move of the groups of 20 to file behind, Hon. Muritala Ajaka in the November governorship race in the state .
Dr Bala Sunday OMA therefore enjoined them to close ranks and be consistent in the struggle ahead in order to ensure a change in the shape of the dynamics of the Kogi state politics via November election to the betterment of all.
