As the battle for the number one seat in Kogi State intensifies, Yekini Jimoh and Charles Akinsete write on the rally held by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state recently, submitting that the party is ready to battle it out with opposition parties in the state during the 3 December gubernatorial polls.THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the national level, appears not to be taking the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Kogi State lightly, given the level of support and patronage the state chapter of the party enjoyed recently. This was evident, last Monday, at the party's rally, all in the bid to convince the people to vote for the party in the gubernatorial election, scheduled to take place on 3 December.Before the rally, the party, one of the strongest and perhaps most popular party in the state,had already put on necessary machineries in place to make sure that the opposition parties do not have a say, as the party faithful had gone round all the 21 local government councils in the state, including all the wards for campaign. But the presence of President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, Architect Namadi Sambo, including the national leadership as well as who-is-who of the party at the rally further boosted the morale of the party faithful in the state and its gubernatorial candidate, Captain Idris Wada, and his running mate, Architect Yomi Awoniyi.The event, which took place at Lokoja Township stadium, witnessed many supporters of the party who trooped, in their thousands, to the venue as earlier as 7 a.m. The bitter cold, a signal to an incoming harmattan, was surprisely not a barrier to the people, as they gathered from all parts of the state to grace the occasion.The presence of President Jonathan did not only add colour to the event. The president, whose primary goal was to campaign for the success of the PDP gubernatorial candidiate, went ahead to commission some projects put in place by the incumbent governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.Among projects commissioned are the Lokoja Grate water project, the new governor's office and that of the deputy governor. The president also commissioned the Ganaja-Ajaokuta roads and was highly pleased with the track record of the governor. From the commissioning ground, the president and his entourage headed for the venue of the rally, amidst hundreds of people who were waving and anxious to get a glimpse of him.While addressing the people, President Jonathan added that his administration is putting in place policies that would create more jobs for the people. According to him, 'if we don't come up with policies that will create job for our people, the youth of this country will revolt against us one day'. He stressed that it is important for the present administration to make sure that the youths got jobs after graduation from tertiary institutions.President Jonathan, who emphasised that the Wada/Awoniyi ticket remained the best choice for the party and the people of the state, said that he was optimistic that on Saturday, the PDP will win the gubernatorial election. He also called on the people of the state to come out and vote en masse so that the PDP government can ensure that there is continuity in the state. The president also mentioned that the party does not believe in rigging or election malpractices, pointing out that the PDP remains a law-abiding party. He, once again, commended the governor on his tremendous achievements since he came on board, while warning the people to shun violence during the election, adding that the gubernatorial election does not worth the blood of any Kogite or, in fact, any Nigerian.During the rally, the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation of Captain Wada/ Awoniyi, Chief Olusola Akanmode, who addressed the crowd, said the party has put behind their problems in the state. According to him, the leadership of the party, both at the state and national level, has resolved issues that could jeopardise the chances of the party in the gubernatorial election on Saturday.He mentioned that the achievements recorded by the Governor Idris-led administration in the last eight years are enough evidence for the people of the state, who would surely cast their vote for the PDP during the election. He stressed that the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Wada, and his running mate have been tested and the party is confident that they would not disappoint the people of Kogi , in terms of providing the dividends of democracy. Chief Akanmode said that ACN and other opposition parties in the state were not a threat to the PDP, adding that the ruling party in the state would certainly record victory.The state chairman of the party, Alhaji Hassan Salawu, in his own address, said already, they have won the election, considering the number of the people that came out to grace the occasion. He mentioned that the commissioning of projects by the president which were put in place by the administration of Governor Idris were just few of the numerous projects done by the governor. He also said that the PDP in the state is confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would organised free and fair election in the state.The national chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, during his speech, said that he was certain that the PDP would win the election, saying that whoever said the party's problem is the members of the party in the state was one deceiving him or herself, adding that Captain Wada remained the gubernatorial candidate of the party to take the party to greater heights in the state.Alhaji Baraje stressed that the PDP would continue to govern the state and the nation in general because of the policies of the party which was put in place to better the economy of the nation. According to him, Wada has the quality to lead the state, adding that as aviation person he will pilot the affairs of the state very well. He, therefore, called on the people of the state to come out en mass and vote for PDP so that the state can belong to government in the central.The Senate President, Senator David Mark, was not left out, as he pleaded with the people to vote for PDP. He, in his remark, said that Kogi is his second home, noting that he would be happy, if the party maintained its victory in the state. He assured that in the next three years, the state will witnessed more developments, if Wada is voted in as the next governor of the state. He expressed delight that the party faithful were finally able to put behind their greviances and work for the interest of the party.Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who also graced the occasion, said he was sure that PDP will defeat other political parties in the state during the election. According to him, the PDP-led government, at the federal level, has put in place programmes that move the country forward. He mentioned that likewise at the state level, the PDP governor has been doing a lot for the people, adding that the projects commissioned by the president that day was an indication that Governor Idris was performing and, indeed, has the interest of the masses at heart. He, therefore, advised the people to vote for the PDP, if they want meaningful development in the next four years.The PDP gubernatorial candidate, in his speech, thanked the people of Kogi state for their support so far and promised to embark on projects that would transform the state.Stressing that he was ready to serve his people, he solicited for the support of Kogi people, promising that if he is elected as governor, he would do his best to entrench democracy, the rule of law and, of course, focus on the growth and development of the state.
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