Kogi State Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Prince Abubakar Audu has said that current administration under the Peoples Democratic Party has failed to make any mark in the physical and human capital development of the state despite the huge allocation accruing to the state.
Audu, who said this while addressing journalists on his mission to the United Kingdom said “It is regrettable that despite the huge allocation accruing to the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led- government has failed to make any appreciable mark in physical and human capital development.
“As you can see, I am back refreshed, rejuvenated and fully prepared for the main election after my victory at the primary election of our great party, which I won convincingly. I can assure you that our party will carry the day. We have always won previous elections but we are always denied the opportunity. But things will be different this time around with the card readers in place. My people of Kogi state I will not disappoint you and I will never take your support for granted.”
Meanwhile the Kogi APC Concerned Elders has called on the party leadership and President Muhammadu Buhari to replace Audu as the party’s guber candidate.
The Elders in a statement signed by their secretary Alhaji Danjuma Shuaibu claimed that the personality and disposition of Audu makes him unfit to run under the party’s name.
The statement read “Mr. President, our party the APC gave Nigerians the opportunity to showcase their genuine patriotism and humble contributions to the greatness of their fatherland. Today, that election has not only found a space in our history it has importantly ushered in new hope of a democratic governance and a new hope of a prosperous future found in a new leader, Buhari that is laden with experience and integrity, vision, patriotism, selflessness and the fear of God.
“Many Kogites had expected that the revolutions that happened at the centre would be replicated in our dear state beginning with our primary election. But what they got from the screening committee of the party was a total mockery of a democratic process. The screening exercise was generally regarded as unjust, unfair and totally unacceptable.
“Even if we ignore the inducement and reckless electoral manipulations that characterized the party screening, the heavy moral burden associated with the outcome of the exercise calls for a deeper refection.
“There are so many questions that our people have asked us as leaders concerning the personality and disposition of Audu who was cleared by APC screening committee to contest the primary election which we do not have immediate answer.
“People are also asking us questions that bother on the integrity of our party. For example, they are concerned that the rule that was used by the party leadership to disqualify Hon. Samuel Aro from contesting the Senatorial seat in the last general election was not applied in the case of Prince Abubakar Audu. To disqualify Aro, the screening committee stated that “Since Hon. Aro Samuel Bamidele responded to question (5) on the Senate nomination form, which states that: Do you have any pending criminal trial? He has submitted himself to the supremacy and prerogative of the party to determine who carries the flag of the party. Furthermore, no reasonable political party will field a risky aspirant with possible baggage of future legal disabilities.”