THE immediate past member of the House of Representative for Yagba Federal constituency of Kogi State, Hon. Sunday Karimi had urged Kogi people to keep fate with the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, said better days are ahead.
Karimi also admonished the people of the State to come around, supports and work with Governor Bello to succeed in his renewed mandate.
Addressing the people at his official decamping to All Progressive Congress(APC) in his country home, Egbe on Sunday the two term House of Rep member urged Kogites to put election issues behind them, saying election has been lost and won, necessitating the need for Kogites coming together to encourage elected governor settle down to chart a better course for development of the State.
His words, “Kogi State is our common patrimony, our Jerusalem and we are all duty bound to contributes our quota to make it the envy of other states. I believed the time has come for us all to change the narratives of always being in the news for obvious reasons of negativity.
“We must work together for the good of our people and in their interest we should come together, supports our governor to justify his renewed mandate, knowing fully well Yahaya Bello cannot do it alone. He need the support of all.”
Karimi said he was optimistic that given the right environment, resources, supports, Kogites will have cause to celebrate in governor Bello’s second tenure.
“One of the major issues I have against the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the past was that salaries of workers were not paid regularly, but I am very happy to hear that stories is fast becoming a thing of the past, workers in my state are now paid as at when due. I am particularly happy to see that under the Man Yahaya Bello, Kogi State workers became the first to receives November Salaries in Nigeria.
“While I urged the governor to look into the challenges of percentage payment of salaries to Primary School teachers and Local government workers, I am of the opinion that some of these issues can better be attended to in the atmosphere of peace and unity.”
Reacting to criticism which trailed his defection from PDP, “It became expedient for me to withdraw my membership of the party since it was apparent that the party (PDP) leadership are averse to truth.
“The inability of the party to resolve the post primary issue which resulted in litigations suggest weak leadership. I was in Abubakar Abu’s camp and we went to court to challenge the result of the September 3 purported primary election which to us was stage managed, so it will be hypocritical for me to work for PDP which as far as I am concern does not have validly elected candidate in the face of the law. Working for PDP will amount to working for nothing and against my conscience.
“Instead of the party leadership to do the needful by resolving the crisis, their actions and inactions shows that they are more comfortable with the fraud perpetrated in that so called primaries. Even Sen. Dino Melaye had already distanced himself from that exercise until his election was nullified by Appeal court and he needed to join that campaign train. I don’t have any personal issue with any individuals or groups but against the process.
“During the last general election, the same fraud was committed under this same National Working Committee, I took them to court to challenge that process but was prevailed upon to drop the suit I allowed voice of reason to prevailed on the assurance that my party will always play by the rules but rather, absordity, abnormalities and fraud was fast becoming the emblem of the party.”
Karimi however apologised to his supporters and admirers who might not have been too comfortable with his decision to leave PDP assuring them that the decision became very necessary, though a painful decision.
Karimi said his support for re-election of Yahaya Bello as governor and Senator Smart Adeyemi as a Senator is based on principle and desire for improved welfare and wellbeing of the people.
Hon. Sunday Karimi used that occasion to further reminds Sen. Smart Adeyemi on the need to work with Kogi State government and the relevant Ministry of the federal government to commence work on Kabba/Ilorin road, “Let me remind Senator Adeyemi of the efforts Hon. Faleke, myself and late Hon. Buba made on the award of Obajana – Kabba Road which is now a reality. It reminds me of when the three of us had to put resources together for the grading and sand filling of the pot holes on that road just to alleviate the suffering of our people because the federal government was foot dragging on that road. I thank God it is now a reality.
“I am specially appealing to Governor Yahaya Bello to enter into serious discussion with federal Minister of Works; for work to commence on Kabba – Ilorin road since it has already been awarded.”
Karimi also used the occasion to congratulate the duo of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and Senator Smart Adeyemi as the duly elected governor of Kogi State and Senator for Kogi West respectively.
