From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), have attributed the party’s victory in Kogi and Imo states to the democratic dividends given to the people in both states.
In separate statements issued after the victorious emergence of the party in the two states, the ruling party described as a deserved victory the re-election of Uzodimma and the emergence of Ododo as the governor-elect for Kogi State.
Ganduje, in a statement by his media aide, expressed happiness with the overwhelming support exhibited by the electorate in Kogi and Imo states.
The statement read: “What gladdens my heart about the victory of the APC in both Kogi and Imo states is that Nigerians are appreciative of good governance and they want continuity in peace and sustainable growth in their states.
“As a progressive party, we will always live up to our promises to deliver good governance. The people of Imo and Kogi states can rest assured that Uzodimma will sustain his developmental strides in the state, while Ododo would consolidate on the enviable legacies of Governor Yahaya Bello. Members of the opposition political parties in both states should accept their defeat in good faith.
“You are true democrats. The truth is that we are all winners at the end of the day. Without a viable opposition, there won’t be contestation, and democracy. I urge you to join hands with Governor Uzodimma and the incoming governor of Kogi State, Ododo, in the task of moving your respective states forward.
“You all fought a good battle. As the saying goes, there will always be another chance to test your level of acceptability among the electorates,” the former governor of Kano state appealed.
Similarly, the statement issued by the party’s NWC signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, read: “The landslide victories of Uzodimma and Ododo attested to the exceptional performance of the APC-led administrations in both states, and resonated loudly with voters.
“We are confident that Governor Uzodimma will consolidate and extend the impressive accomplishments of his first term in Imo State, while Usman Ododo, on his part, will build on the solid record of the outgoing APC-administration in Kogi State.
“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the security agencies for professionally discharging their constitutional duties during the elections in both states. We salute the Imo and Kogi electorate for their invaluable and massive support of our great party.”