Senator Dino Melaye has reacted to clinching the gubernatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State.
Former Governor of Kaduna and Chairman of the PDP’s electoral committee for Kogi governorship primary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, announced Melaye’s victory on Sunday.
He said Melaye secured 313 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Idoko Ilonah, who got 124 votes.
The governorship election in Kogi is scheduled to hold on November 11.
In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, Melaye said, “Today, April 16, 2023, the Almighty God proved Himself in my life, by responding to my Biblical name, Daniel. He fought on my behalf, and delivered victory to me, which I received on behalf of all other aspirants, the great members of the People’s Democratic Party in and outside Kogi State, and the good people of our dear Kogi State.
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“Coming on the heels of the democratic sacrilege committed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State about 48 hours ago, and the electoral revulsion belching out of Adamawa State, it is soul lifting to have the PDP demonstrate to the world that Nigeria is not the jungle that the APC paints it in the recently conducted elections over the last 50 days.”
He thanked the leaders of the PDP at the national, state, local and ward levels, and “my dear brothers who advanced the cause of democracy in this contest and our numerous supporters who ensured that peace reigned, decorum prevailed, and conflicts contained all through the process.”
“As I savour this moment in humility, I return again to the Scriptures. I recall the task and support that God gave to Moses to lead the people of Israel out of bandage to freedom. By the grace of God, our state will be liberated from the yoke of Yahaya Bello and APC.
“I also found a correlation between the new responsibility that God is placing on me and the responsibility that he gave to Gideon, who though felt unworthy was qualified by God to deliver his people from the Gibeonites who had plundered their land and eaten their harvest. This shall be our experience in Kogi State. Furthermore, I think of Jephtah, who was despised and was called unserious. God has just proved that He takes my matter very seriously.
“The outcome of today’s election is not traceable to the strength of anyone in our state. It is a collective victory; the manifestation of a new spirit and purposeful coalition of all peoples across our beloved state.
“I acknowledge especially the enormous energy and commitment deployed to this endeavour by my sister, Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan, and her beloved husband, Your day of celebration is very near, by the grace of God.
“I recognise that contests of this nature are hardly devoid of offences. I ask for forgiveness for all personal and corporate infractions in all my political navigations.
May the peace and prosperity of God abide with Kogi State always,” Melaye said.