By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, on Friday expressed optimism about the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Kogi State’s 21 local government councils.
Audu made this assertion during a meeting with the Kogi State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Abdulahi Bello Dollar, and all the party’s council chairmanship candidates at the APC Secretariat in Lokoja. He pledged both moral and financial support for their expected victory in the upcoming October 19 local government elections in the state.
The minister, who was in the state to vote in the elections, congratulated the candidates for representing the APC and conducting peaceful, successful campaigns. He expressed confidence in a total victory for the party’s candidates.
Audu emphasized that meeting the candidates personally before the elections was a priority, and he provided financial support to the 21 council chairmanship candidates, the three zonal chairmen across the state, and the APC Secretariat in Kogi State.
He commended the State APC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, for his leadership in steering the party, continuing the legacy of the party’s founding father in the state, the late Prince Abubakar Audu, as well as the contributions of former Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the current Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“To all the council chairmanship candidates in the 21 local governments, let me begin by congratulating you for the opportunity to represent our great party in your respective areas,” Audu said. “I had planned to attend the flag-off of the campaigns in September, but I was in Moscow to sign an MoU for the revitalization of Ajaokuta Steel and NIOMCO with the plant’s original builders.”
He urged continuous prayers for the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, noting that it would create hundreds of thousands of jobs in Kogi State and across Nigeria, benefiting future generations.
“As one of the senior members of the party in the state, I am here to lend my support to all the candidates contesting tomorrow’s elections,” Audu added.
The State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, thanked the minister for his unwavering support and dedication to the party.
“The late Prince Abubakar Audu laid a foundation of leadership, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello carried that mantle with great distinction. Now, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is continuing that legacy. The Honourable Minister’s support is a testament to that continuity. We deeply appreciate your efforts, Honourable Minister,” Bello said.
Hon. Tosin Olokun, former chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the APC flagbearer from Yagba West, speaking on behalf of the candidates, expressed gratitude for the minister’s support, which he described as generous. He also thanked him for his commitment to the party.
