The Ebira Peoples Association, Lokoja branch, on the auspices of the Ebira Peoples Association (EPA), has declared support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kogi state, Ahmed Ododo “to continue the progressive development of the state.”
In a communiqué issued and signed by the EPA chairman, Moses Momoh said the adoption of Ododo followed a meeting held by members of the Association last week in Lokoja to review the continuous prosperity of the state at the end of the tenure of the present government of Yahaya Bello.
According to Momoh, judging from the political history of the state, a new set of government under a different political party always abandons ongoing projects of the previous administration, which he said has resulted in the loss of a large volume of economic, social and political development of the state.
“The candidacy of Usman Ododo who is part of the present administration will ensure the completion of all projects that are ongoing presently in the state especially the two new universities that are ongoing, the healthcare development policies where many hospitals and healthcare centers are also under construction.
“There are numerous infrastructural projects that have reached a high percentage level of completion, such as operation light-up Kogi East and other rural communities across the state, various road projects and many other social infrastructures targeted to improve the living standard of the people of the state.”
He noted that the continuity of the progressive development of the state can only be achieved, when a member of the present cabinet takes over the leadership of the state to forestall unnecessary waste of economic values which could be inimical to the financial utilization, especially now that the resources for development are depreciating.
The association also noted that the present government has ensured the security of lives and property, which has put the state among the most peaceful states in Nigeria, noting that investments can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
They also stressed that there is political stability and cultural integration among the various socio-cultural groups in the state resulting from the articulate policies of the Yahaya Bello-led administration.
EPA, therefore, called on all the people of the state to look beyond ethical and regional politics and allow a prosperous Kogi state by voting for Alhaji Usman Ododo, who they said has served under the present administration, to ensure the completion of projects and policies that are meant to drive the state to a more model place and economic prosperity for the present generation and those yet unborn.
EPA also observed that the art of governance under the new direction policy of the government under Bello has brought about transparency and accountability as all public financial utilization and budgetary provision are online for verification by the public, noting that these are precious policies driving the sustainable development, adding that the state government has received many awards in this initiatives.
The group commended the state governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello for initiating policies and programmes that have brought steady development to the state and harmonious relationships among the various sociocultural ethnic groups.
They noted that the impact of the Bello administration in education and healthcare development among other landmark achievements in the history of the state is commendable, urging the people of the state to allow the policies to grow to maturity by voting for Ododo, who they said will sustain and complement on these laudable projects and initiatives.
Meanwhile, EPA has set machinery in motion to organize interdenominational prayers for peaceful coexistence and economic development of the state and the peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial election taking place in the state this November, urging all other ethnic nationalities in the state to do the same in the interest of the development of Kogi state.
According to the communique, over two hundred associations under EPA in Lokoja and prominent Ebira personalities attended the meeting.
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