Following the judgement of the supreme Court affirming Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as the duly elected Governor, a former lawmaker representing Kogi West Senator Smart Adeyemi has called on aggrived individuals in the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) and other political parties to put aside their grievances and work for the success of the present administration in the state.
Senator Adeyemi made the appeal in a letter dated 26th August 2024 while congratulating Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo on his apex court victory last week.
The former Kogi West Senator also appreciated the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) Candidate in the last Governorship election Alhaji Murtala Ajaka for deepening the democratic process in the state by seeking redress constitutionally without resorting to violence or acts that may have bring about a complete breakdown of law and order.
Senator Adeyemi letter reads in part;
“Now that partisan politics is over, and a court determination pronounced, it is time for the Governor to focus on the effective governance of Kogi State. There is so much to be done.
“The hall mark of a true democratic society is to be able, as an aggrieved person(s) to seek redress through constitutionally permissible processes in a competent court of law. As a party man, I feel delighted that the All Progressive Congress, our Party, has emerged victorious.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my dear Brother, Alhaji Murtala Ajaka of the SDP for deepening the democratic process in our state by seeking redress constitutionally without resort to violence or acts that may have brought about a complete breakdown of law and order.
“I must also commend him for honour and assiduously fighting
for his convictions to a logical end. It is now time for us all to put our grievances, however, justified, behind us, and work with His Excellency in bringing the dividend of democracy to our people. This remains a priority.
“The Governor has already taken major steps towards growth and we look forward to him moving at a much faster pace as he is no longer inundated with legal tussles and is now, solely saddled with the responsibility of governing the state.
“I want to kindly call on all aggrieved members within and outside our ‘ party, to set aside all grievances and give their unwavering support to Governor Usman Ododo and indeed the Government at all levels to ensure peaceful coexistence that will enable us derive fully, the dividends of democratic governance.
“Let me equally use this opportunity to call on my party friends and associates, to jettison all bitterness and contribute, without hesitation, their quota towards the growth and development of our state.
“As a leader, I believe I have taken the right steps and have absolutely no regrets. As it stands today, I have no bitterness towards anyone, and I have no enemies (real or perceived) to fight within and outside the political elites. As an ardent party man, I kindly urge us all to remain focused and united with a view to achieving accelerated development and sustainable peaceful co-existence within our great state.”