The governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Kogi state, Hon. Fatima Taiye Suleiman has said she stepped down for the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Ododo Ahmed Usman to continue the good work of the present administration.
Recall that five political parties under the auspice of United Progressive Political Parties (UPPP) endorsed the flag bearer of the APC, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
The five political parties are Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action People’s Party (APP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), and Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) party.
Suleiman while speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Monday described Ododo as a man who has the capacity to deliver for his people, adding that, his track record and achievement is enough evidence for Kogites to vote massively for him at the poll.
While noting that she has collapsed all her structure for the APC candidate to win at the polls, Hon. Suleiman stated that she has begun to mobilise women across the 21 Local Governments of Kogi State to campaign and vote for APC.
According to her, the choice of APC to choose Ododo is a step in the right direction, stressing that, when elected, the governorship candidate will consolidate the achievement of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Suleiman maintained that after evaluating other candidates jostling for the position of governor, Ododo remains the only candidate who has the capacity to deliver and change the fortunes of Kogi State for good.
She opined that, her withdrawal from the next Governorship election in Kogi State was not born out of sentiment, but for the interest of Kogites who are all yearning for good governance which has already been seen in the APC candidate.
Explaining further why she is throwing her weight behind the APC candidate, Suleiman said “My withdrawal from the forthcoming election is for the interest of Kogi State. No doubt I was the only female candidate then, but I have seen a man full of capacity and determination to work for his people. That man is Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“He has the quality to continue the good work of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello. I have looked at other candidates contesting, and none of them can match this man. We shouldn’t deceive ourselves. This election is already a work over for APC. It is only APC and no other party.
“As I speak to you, I have begun the mobilisation of over 500,000 Women to campaign and vote for Ododo in Kogi State. Don’t forget, I am a fashion designer who has a lot of network across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State. All my supporters have made up their minds to follow me for APC to get victory come November. There is no course for alarm. We are already on the ground working for Ahmed Usman Ododo. No shaking.
“Looking at some of the achievements of the present administration, you will all agree with me that there is a total facelift in health, education, security, youth empowerment, employment opportunities and many more. All these were done by a man who has the interest of electorates despite our diversity in religion, ethnicity and party. Women were carried along. For the first time, we have over 40 per cent of women in the governance of Kogi State.
“It wasn’t like this before now. With this landmark achievement of our award-winning governor, I am very convinced that Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo will do more for us. That is why I will put all my best, and use my network to ensure that he is elected as the successor of Alhaji Yahaya Bello the hero of Kogi democracy.”
She, however, admonished Kogites to put aside ethnic, religious and political sentiment and vote for Ododo who she described as a competent, reliable, dependable and well focused candidate who is willing to work for the development of Kogi State.
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