THE Wada/Aro Governorship Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has described the recent endorsement of Governor Yahaya Bello’s second term bid by the Kogi State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as a rude and shocking reminder of the violent abduction, torturing and gruesome murder cases.
In a statement signed and issued on Monday by the vice Chairman, Public Communications Directorate of the campaign organisation, Mr. Austin Usman Okai, said endorsements by ‘foreigners’ are not enough to save Bello from the resolute determination of Kogi electorate to vote him out on November 16.
He stated that Kogites are freeborns and that Kogi State is not a conquered territory or an annex of the ancestral homeland of the Miyetti Allah.
“The expanded governorship campaign council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State and the Engr. Musa Wasa campaign organisation welcomes the endorsement of the second term ambition of outgoing governor, Yahaya Bello by not less a group but the Kogi State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
“The council notes that whereas it is the prerogative of the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shop for and purchase endorsements wherever available, it is imperative for the party and its flag-bearer to realize that Kogites are freeborns and that Kogi State is not a conquered territory or an annex of the ancestral homeland of the Miyetti Allah.
“For the sake of history and posterity, the council fully acknowledges that whereas the Miyetti Allah is a trade group that has a lot counting in its favour, the group also comes along with baggages which are troubling and of grave concern to the good people of Kogi State.
“The campaign council of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State wished that the Kogi State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria remains apolitical but in consideration of the reality that some elements in the group have chosen to be meddlesome. Notice is hereby conveyed to the All Progressives’ Congress that eligible voters in Kogi state are predominantly the youth, men and women of Kogi State.
The council therefore wishes to remind the ruling All Progressives Congress that to the unbowed youth of Kogi State, the mention of Miyetti Allah is a sad and painful reminder of the unprovoked and brutal destruction of lives and properties in Agatu in neighboring Benue State and Ogani – Enigu, Kogi State in 2018.
“We equally remind the All Progressives Congress that to the indomitable men of Kogi State, the mention of Miyetti Allah is a rude and shocking reminder of the violent abduction, torturing and subsequent gruesome murder of a traditional ruler in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State in 2018.
“We finally remind the All Progressives Congress that to the irrepressible women of Kogi State, the mention of Miyetti Allah has so far remained a disrespectful reminder of the mass killings, raping and arson that was visited on the people of Nimbo in neighboring Enugu State in 2018.
“Against the background of the repulsive endorsement of outgoing governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, the council urges Kogites to gird their loins and be prepared to strongly assert themselves by enthroning a government that will render accounts to only Kogi people come November 16th 2019.Kogites must constantly remind one another that Kogi State will never be allowed to be a testing ground where the first modern day conquest by the back door will take place in Nigeria.
“The council urges Kogites of goodwill to show maturity and refuse to be provoked by the reckless disposition of foreign elements who while trading as leaders of the Miyetti Allah have no value to offer Kogites,” the statement read.
Okai assured Kogi electorate that the incoming PDP government of Engr. Musa Wada has worked out defined strategies which will confer on Kogites as well as visitors and investors all necessary aid and privileges that will support them in their individual growth and business aspirations.
