From Tunde Rahman, Lokoja
Latest developments in the Kogi state chapter of United People Congress (UPC) suggests that all is not well in the opposition party as claims that the party had collapsed its structures for Governor Yahaya Bello of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has been debunked by the party’s candidate in the election, Dr Abu Sunday.
News Hub Mag! recalls that the State Chairman of the party (UPC), Hon. Moses Damisa had on Friday announced the defection of party members in a press conference at the NUJ press Centre, in Lokoja.
According to Damisa, the reason behind their actions was the similarities of APC and UPC parties’ developmental objectives.
He stated that the party’s executive members have been watching with keen interest the infrastructural development and zeal to do more in the state by the APC led administration in Kogi State.
The Chairman lauded the objectivity of Governor Yahaya Bello and his programs on youths, women empowerment and poverty alleviation programme for the citizenry in the state.
The Chairman who applauded the slogan of UPC for APC therefore enjoined members of the party to ensure the victory of Governor Yahaya Bello in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State.
Earlier, the state Secretary of the party, Mallam Suleiman Raji had stressed that arrangements have been concluded by the party’s executive for members of the party across the state to vote for Yahaya Bello.
However, in a swift reaction, the party’s flag bearer, Dr Sunday Abu denied knowledge of the arrangements which he said was based on ethnic bigotry.
The flag bearer stated that: “In as much as I would not like to join issues with him (Damisa), I want the world to know that the enthronement of UPC, among the parties contesting the coming election in Kogi state was through my efforts, financially and otherwise.
“It beats my imagination to hear from those whom we brought on board to assist in building the party, to come with such statement at this period of election in which the party is a strong contender.
“By his action, it shows, he is not a matured and consistent leader but a self-seeking one who can easily be bought over by the enemies of the party by deploying sentiments and financial inducements to feather the nest of certain interest group.
“I remain the standard bearer of United Progressive Congress, with all my documents and approvals still intact at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the November 16 Governorship election.
“The decision of Moses Damisa is a figment of his imagination and has no bearing with the leadership of the party both at the national and state and members of the party.
“I therefore implore all our members to disregard the purported statement of the state chairman of the UPC, that our great party has collapsed its structure to APC in the next governorship election in the state.
“We are in the race to occupy Lugard House, and by God’s willing, we will be there. Our esteemed members are advised to troop out en-masse and vote for Dr Sunday Abuh, the candidate of UPC.”
