Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi says the election has transcended ethnic sentiments in the state, saying the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the November 11 poll because it fielded a popular candidate and not on the basis of tribe or ethnicity.
Bello said this during the APC stakeholders meeting held at the Greenhouse of the Government Building in Lokoja on Saturday.
“Kogi must develop as one united state; Under no circumstances should any tribe believe that they can vote themselves in to become governor without the support of other tribes.
“In 2019, I won without an ethnic program. I warned against tribal sentiments and asked us to stop them before the elections. I was optimistic that APC would win the November 11 governorship election. I wanted it to be a sweet victory and that’s why I warned against sentimentality,” he said.
Bello praised President Bola Tinubu for his support for APC’s “clean and clear” victory in the off-cycle elections.
“Over the past seven years, this journey has been full of ups and downs. But we thank God for the spectacular victory. Despite all the obstacles before, during and after the elections, the APC emerged stronger.
“It is time for everyone to carry their cross. Everyone will bear the name of their father because there is still a future ahead of them,” he said.
Bello said transparency will remain his watchword as he seeks to ensure that citizens benefit from democracy.
The governor expressed regret that people allowed emotions, personal and parochial interests to cloud their judgment during the election.
He said his administration’s good management in the areas of road construction, health care and infrastructure development was enough for APC to win overwhelmingly.
(IN)
