The leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) recently stormed Kogi State, in solidarity with the party's gubernatorial candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, during the party's rally in the state. Yekini Jimoh writes on the event, particularly on ACN's determination to take over from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.THE Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) seemed poised to make animpact in this year's gubernatorial election in Kogi State, as the leadership of the party recently stormed the party's rally held in the state, in readiness to clinch the number one seat from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the December 3 gubernatorial election. The rally, which took place at the Lokoja township stadium, last Sunday, was attended by prominent members of the party across the state and the country in general. The centre of attraction was Prince Abubakar Audu, the former governor of the state. He is the gubernatorial candidate of ACN.The ACN power house was well represented, as the national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, led other ACN stalwarts such as Bola Tinubu, as well as its five governors of the South-West states, namely Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, and Oyo and that of Edo State to the venue of the event.The occasion was anchored by Honourable Dino Melaye, also known as the Napoleon of Kogi State. Melaye, known for his exploits during the sixth National Assembly, in his speech, said that the ACN was ready to put an end to the PDP reign of bad leadership, stressing that the ACN is ready to match them with the people's votes.The South-South vice-chairman of the party, Chief Osage Iyamu, who offered the opening prayer at the ceremony, said that there was need for a change because people of the state are suffering. He said any attempt by the PDP to rig the election would be resisted because the people's votes must count, adding that Prince Audu has been tested before and is ready to do more for the people of the state.The state chairman of the party, Alhaji Haddi Ametou assured the people that the ACN has come to liberate them from poverty and suffering, adding that all developments in the state were recorded during the tenure of Prince Audu as governor and that more dividends of democracy is surely coming for the people of the state, as soon as the ACN takes over the state.Lagos State governor, Mr Raji Fashola, was the first South-West governor to speak at the occasion. The governor, who was applauded by the people that graced the rally, described the forthcoming election as the beginning of a new era in the state. He, therefore, called on the people to vote the PDP out of government, saying 'by December, Audu will join the ACN governors to develop the state.'Adams Oshiomhole, the governor of Edo State, while addressing the crowd, called on the people to vote and guide their vote, saying that change cannot come on its own unless the people struggle for it. According to him, the forthcoming election is going to be different because there will be no room for false promises. The former President of the NigeriaLabour Congress (NLC) opined that God is in support of change, adding that the people must be governed according to their value.Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, speaking on the performance of Audu when he was the governor, said his state is the neigbour to Kogi, adding that the people of Ekiti are feeling the hardship in Kogi and that was the main reason they have decided to join in the struggle to take over from the PDP. He said that the language of PDP is intimidation and rigging, as he warned that this time round, the PDP will surely sink.The governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, in his words, charged Kogi people to stand and fight for their rights. He advised the ACN supporters to organise and be organised in order to effect the eminent change so that the future of the people would be secure.Collaborating his Osun counterpart's speech, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said Audu is a trusted man, adding that ACN is the only progressive party in Nigeria.According to him, the party is for development and Audu has done a lot for the people of the state and needs just another four years to bring back the lost glory of the state. He also admonished the people to defend their votes so that there would not be room for rigging during the election. He said that if former President Olusegun Obasanjo can be defeated in his ward and in the entire Ogun State by the ACN, then victory is certain in the state for the opposition party.Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobe, in his goodwill message, promised the people that ACN will move the state forward when Audu takes over the government.The National Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande, added that the party is ready to liberate the people of the state, if Prince Abubakar Audu is elected as the governor. He further mentioned that the spate of bad leadership had been the albatross of the state, adding that this would definitely be a thing of the past if the party is voted for in the state. Chief Akande posited that the ACN is ready to effect change in Kogi, stressing that Prince Audu's four years in office, when compared to successive administrations, was far better, especially than the nine-year rule of the PDP-led government in the state.The ACN national chairman called on the people to defend their votes during the election, adding that no amount of intimidation should stop them from defending their right.Also speaking, Bola Tinubu, the leader of the ACN, warned the people of Kogi State not to allow the PDP to intimidate them during the election. He said that the PDP government has failed the people of the state and it is time for a positive change, noting that people should come out and vote for ACN during the election. He assured that the government of ACN will deliver the much-desired dividends of democracy in the state as soon as Prince Audu takes over government in the state.Feelers gathered from the outcome of the rally, however, indicated that the ACN was simply out to hurl vituperations at the ruling party, all in the bid to gain the sympathy of the people of the state. According to a PDP chieftain, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, 'the ACN believes that by spiting on the PDP in the state, the people would dance to their tune. The ACN has no base in Kogi State and that is why all their leaders came to the rally. But I bet you, all their efforts would amount to nothing by the time the elections are over.'The fact is that the ACN, irrespective of its methodology, is leaving no stone unturned to extend its frontier of victory beyond the South-West to Kogi State. But whichever party is to take over the reins of government in the state in 2012 would surely be determined by the people.
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