Dr Tom Ohikere, the former Commissioner for Information in the North Central State, has pledged to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, to win the November 11, 2023 election.
The former Commissioner for Information in the North Central State gave the assurance to support the party candidate while speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting held at his residence in Abuja.
On the entourage of the APC candidate was the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr Momodu Salami Ozigi Deedat, and the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Engr. Bashir Gegu.
Ohikere said he was convinced that given the landmark achievements of the former Auditor General for Local Governments in Kogi state, there is the prospect of a greater and even development of the state by an Ododo-led administration.
He said, “In every political development across the globe, politicians come together with varied interests, and in the scramble, you expect a crisis of interests, and in Kogi state, we have had politicians come into the APC with varied interests or tendencies.
For example, in the last APC Governorship Primary Election in Kogi, I believed that the ticket should go to Kogi West, especially Senator Smart Adeyemi, but leadership is an act of God, and He gave it to Kogi Central. Who am I to fight the cause of God? The person who got it is my own younger brother. Will I now fight myself? So, I have decided to play by the will of God.
“I cannot play anti-party, and in the realisation of the fact that I was part of the five key people who established APC in Kogi, I cannot play anti-party, and my brother Ododo is the candidate of the party. I cannot work against him. So, my party must win the next election in Kogi state.
“I have keenly followed political developments in the state, and Ododo has been talking about real issues, rather than sentiments. This is one of the reasons why I have come on board – to set agenda – because we shall be discussing developmental issues”.
Dr Ohikere an ally of Senator Smart Adeyemi, also said he was convinced that the latter would equally work for the victory of the APC in the forthcoming election..
“We are going through reconciliations and realignments. I am very sure that because I am here, Senator Smart Adeyemi believes in me, and I am going to speak with him”, he stated.
On his part, Ododo sued for peace among the various contestants and their followers, saying Kogi is best known as the “Confluence of peace.”
While he expressed commitment to the “Renewed Hope” blueprint of President Bola Tinubu, Ododo promised to ensure equity in the distribution of state resources if elected as governor.