Ali, Idris, others endorse Wada for second term

POLITICAL heavyweights in Kogi State have endorsed the second term ambition of the state governor, Captain Idris Wada, as the state holds governorship election later in the year. Among them were former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali; former Kogi State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris; former Chief of Army Staff, General Salihu Ibrahim; former Minister of Police Affairs, General David Jemibewon; Senator Tunde Ogbeha; former deputy chief of staff in the Presidency, Prince Olushola Akanmode and former Kogi State deputy governors, Chief Sam Akande and Chief Patrick Adaba. Others were a former deputy governor of old Benue State, Alhaji Sule Iyaji; Ambassador Usman Bello, Gabriel Aduku, Professor Olu Akerejola, Dr (Mrs) Grace Gunwa, Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, Alhaji Abdullahi Ohioma, Chief Joe Agada, Chief Shola Ojo, among others. The leaders had made the move to ensure early campaign and to rally support for Wada and the PDP to emerge victorious in the election. The elders, while announcing their endorsement of Wada, described him as a viable standard-bearer within the rank of PDP that could guarantee success for the party in the next election. They also said aside the misrepresentation made about salary payment, the state, under the incumbent, had done well in ensuring civil servants got their dues amidst dwindling allocation. The elders noted that the remuneration of the workforce, which gulped about 87 per cent of the state revenue, had initially affected physical development, while they applauded the governor’s decision to approach the capital market to seek financial support to augment the revenue. Also commended were what they termed iconic projects embarked upon by Wada, using the bond proceeds and assured that the projects would, on completion, have far reaching impact on the lives of the people. According to the elders, Wada’s completion of a second term would ensure completion of all ongoing projects across the three senatorial districts in the state. With the endorsement, analysts posited that it was now clear that the PDP ticket may not be available, as the elders were said to be working in concert with the leaders of the party at the grassroots to ensure the PDP presents a consensus candidate ahead of the party’s primaries and consequently ensure that Wada emerges victorious at the governorship election. Wada, it was also gathered, was seen by the elders as “a gentleman and a man of an even temperament not tainted by hint of corruption and scandal.” They also described him as “a prudent manager of resources and a skillful handler of equitable distribution of the state commonwealth.”