The zonal chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, on Thursday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside the party’s chairmen in the 21 local government areas of the state.
The SDP top executives, who made their decision to join the ruling party public at the Government House in Lokoja, the state capital, hinged their action on the continuous development of the state and wellbeing of indigenes above other considerations.
Speaking during the defection, SDP zonal chairman for Kogi East, Suleiman Isah, criticised what he described as the divisive campaign of the party, saying it was detrimental to the atmosphere of harmony in the state.
“We are happy that this is happening today. Even while we were in the opposition, we were aware that you did a lot for the state. The infrastructure projects are what anyone cannot deny, Your Excellency, we have all decided to join the APC to support the efforts at further developing the state. We will give all the necessary support to ensure victory for the APC candidate in the governorship election,” Isah said.
He acknowledged Governor Yahaya Bello’s achievements in health, education, road infrastructure, and agriculture, among others, over the past seven years.
The zonal chairman assured the governor of the commitment of all the SDP chairmen to the Kogi Agenda through the APC governorship candidate for the November 11 poll, Ododo Ahmed Usman.
Meanwhile, Governor Bello stressed that the timing of their movement from SDP to APC was significant, given his administration’s noteworthy achievements, which had earned the APC widespread support.
Bello emphasised the importance of fostering unity among the ethnic communities in the state, just as he underscored the importance of collaborative, issue-based campaigns, noting that success in any election would depend on broad support.
He urged the people to reject divisive tactics in the interest of all.
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