…Go to Tribunal To Challenge My Victory if Aggrieved
Williams Anuku Abuja
Winner of Kogi state gubernatorial election, Yahaya Bello has asked his major opponent, Musa Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to approach the electoral petitions tribunal to challenge his victory if he felt aggrieved.
He boasted that he was never in doubt of his chances of winning the election, but was sure of the wide margin in defeating Wada.
The Governor shortly after receiving his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and meeting President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, said the significance of his victory was the elimination of ethnicity from Kogi politics.
He said, “Just few hours ago, I received my certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Lokoja. That is the conclusion of the November 16th gubernatorial election that was held, that I won with landslide.
“I told you sometimes back that the issues of winning the election was not in question but the margin with which I will defeat my opponent, and that he will have no reason whatsoever to go to tribunal. However going to the tribunal is their right and if they so wish, we will meet in court.
“But I want to use this opportunity to call on all those that contested the elections with me starting from the primaries of our party to the main election, all other political parties to please join me, we are all citizens of Kogi State, in this next level so that we can together do more for Kogi State.
“I inherited a state that was largely divided along ethnic lines but this particular election, I was able to put that behind us, that ethnicity is not the way, that it is a monster that has held the country down and that tore the states apart sometimes.
“By the special grace of God, today in Kogi State ethnicity has been buried finally. Because, in this particular elections I won overwhelmingly in all three senatorial districts of Kogi State.
We have a lot of task ahead of us, the journey has just begun, I need the cooperation and understanding of every citizens and residents of Kogi state to join hands with me so that we can do more for Kogi State”.
All Progressive Congress National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole who accompanied Bello to meet with the President, adviced him to redouble efforts at uplifting the people of Kogi.
“We have just met with the President to present to him yet another bouncing baby boy, delivered from the womb of APC on Saturday November 16th.
“You recalled that some days back we were here with governor-elect David Lyon but this is a bigger masquerade that came out later. Because, in his own case he is now qualified to be called tested and trusted. He has gone through elections and emerged victorious after the first term.
“I think that for analysts and keen observers for Nigeria’s politics particularly the geo-political politics, you will agree that the victory of Yahaya Bello in Kogi State represents many things for those who truly believe that Nigeria politics should move away from sentiments, to dealing with people for who they are rather than where the come from.
“So for us in the APC, we are very proud and we presented him to the president. The president was very proud, of course he congratulated, he was happy to see his certificate and he has encouraged us to recognize that the reward for hard work as they say is more work. And I am sure that governor Yahaya Bello having passed through the learning curve is going to approach the second term with all the vigor with eye for posterity and legacy marks in the development of Kogi state.
“We as party we appreciate the people of Kogi State for standing by the party and voting for Yahaya Bello and I want to assure them that like we said during the campaign, governor Yahaya Bello will do everything possible to ensure that as they say to whom much is given much is expected, he will give his all to the people of Kogi State to reciprocate the good will and the confidence that has been reposed on him as result of the election that was conducted last saturday, November 16,” he told State House Correspondents.
