Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, says he is not related to Usman Ododo, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, contrary to speculations.
Speaking on Friday at the third Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) seminar for political and crime correspondents/editors in Abuja, the governor said the November 11 election in the state would be the most peaceful.
He said Ododo, whom “mischievous opposition” has alleged as his cousin, became the APC candidate based on merit.
Bello added that Ododo won in a free and fair governorship primary.
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“Ododo and I may come from the same place but we do not share blood relationship,” he said.
“He is a very compassionate, hardworking and competent fellow and those qualities spoke for him at the primaries.”
Reacting to the allegations regarding the destruction of campaign offices of opposition parties in the state, Bello said Ododo has no hands in the issue.
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He said the APC candidate would not engage in any act that might mar the election, because he is the most popular and loved by all.
“Ododo has endeared himself to the people of Kogi. How can you be the most popular candidate, positioned to win and still instigate violence?” he asked.
Bello added that part of his administration’s focus is to do away with ethnic sentiments that had set the state backwards before his assumption of office.
“Ethnic sentiments have set Kogi backwards for 19 years and we must break away from that for competence,” he said.
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“My administration has changed the narrative of ethnicity and has been appointing and working with competent people against choosing people by their tribe.
“We raise people from different backgrounds, irrespective of their senatorial zones.”
Also speaking, Kingsley Fanwo, spokesperson of the Kogi APC campaign council, said no blood would be shed because of an election.
Fanwo said security within the state is key, noting that Kogi would not be distracted from the path of peace.
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