Alhaji Usman Ododo, the All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in Kogi State’s election on Saturday, called on security forces on Wednesday to release party members arrested in Kogi East.
Mr. Ododo, who made the decision, told journalists in Lokoja that the APC chieftains arrested were honorable persons with no cause to indulge in thuggery or other vices.
He stated that the party was concerned about the raid on their homes by security officers and the subsequent destruction of property.
“This morning, seven of my community members were chosen. I don’t produce thugs because I despise crime. Security authorities should do their investigations and immediately free our people. Based on the indicators on the ground and the current administration’s admirable achievements, which the people of Kogi State had attested to, victory was assured for the APC.
“Those who knew they were going to lose were inciting violence and making baseless accusations.”
“It’s on this premise that we are calling on the security agencies to be fair to all and ensure the security of lives and property before, during and after the governorship election,” he added.
The gubernatorial candidate praised the security agencies for their efforts in the state, assuring that he would always be available to honor their invitations if they wanted clarity on the actions of the party or any of the campaign chieftains, as he had in the past.
He claims to know what it takes to manage people.
“The people of Kogi State look to the security agencies to ensure a peaceful election,” he added. My members have been arrested, as have several of my leaders, and this morning, they nabbed not fewer than seven of my members. I let them finish their task. I shall not obstruct their inquiry in any way.
“I believe they will be released by the time they finish their investigation and no one is found guilty.” Security agencies have often invited me.
“I’ve honored their invitation not once, not twice, and I’m ready to honor it at any time.” I don’t give birth to thugs. I’ve told my followers that I don’t condone criminal behavior.
“I still base my members on allegations that they have chosen.” Allow them to do their investigations, which I trust will be free of bias. They will be released as soon as they have completed their work.
“However, in a situation where security agents are harassing and detaining my members without telling them what crime they have committed, I would like to call on them to release them and confront those criminals who went to Koton Karfe to kill an APC supporter and get them arrested.”
“That should be their priority, not the law-abiding members of our party.” So I urge them to expedite their investigations and free our people as soon as possible,” he said.
In response to the opposition’s accusations of witch-hunting, Ododo stated, “If you see somebody desperately jumping from one TV station to the other every day, leaving where he is supposed to be doing groundwork and courting voters, you should know that if nothing is chasing him, he is chasing some shadows.”
He claimed that the opposition understood they didn’t stand a chance and were wasting their time with ineffective propaganda.
“As for the APC, we are confident that we are winning. Governor Yahaya Bello has done well for the people, and it is now time to reward the party. We are eager to serve again since the reward for hard work is additional work.
“We will not participate in issues with losers who only have ethnic agendas and violence in their vocabulary.” The APC government has treated all zones equitably, and the results are many. “We’re coming to better serve them,” he remarked.
He urged his supporters to turn out in large numbers on Saturday to vote for the APC, stating that voting for the APC is a vote for the state’s unity, peace, and growth.
