Governorship Election: There Is No APC Party In Kogi State
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has committed a blunder during an address he gave, saying “there is no APC in Kogi State.”
In the video of the event obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, Ododo, who is Governor Yahaya Bello’s anointed successor, was heard saying he did not have any opposition in the November 11 election.
He then declared that there was no “APC in Kogi State” apparently intending to refer to the main opposition party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ododo said, “I think what he was saying is just the fear of defeat. And I want to let you that I was born and brought up in Kogi State. I schooled in Kogi State and have been in the service of Kogi State for over seven years as auditor-general for local government. That brought me into close and direct contact with the people at the grassroots at financial level for development. As I’m talking to you, I don’t have APC in Kogi State; I don’t have any opposition. They are no match. What we are just waiting for is the day for us to announce our victory.”
It was earlier reported that Ododo was charged with forgery.
Ododo faces a criminal trial for alleged forgery of some of the documents he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ododo is accused of falsifying his credentials and declaration of age, according to court documents.
He is also accused of forging his putative father’s signature on the declaration of age document, whose dates show Saturday and Sunday, considered work-free days for judicial workers in Nigeria.
Ododo could face up to 14 years in prison if found guilty. It could also ruin his campaign. It is also expected to exacerbate divides within the APC in the state since the complainants are in the same party as the candidate, making the party’s victory in the governorship race more challenging.
The APC leadership has yet to respond to the allegations levelled against Ododo.
