Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye, has decried the killings and harsh living conditions in the state under the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that he was in the governorship race to lead charge to emancipate the state from oppressive forces.
Melaye, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit on the Catholic Bishop of Idah Diocese, Bishop Anthony Adaji, stressed that his interest in the governorship race “is to liberate the people of Kogi State from the stranglehold of the very insensitive, incompetent and corrupt APC.
In a statement by the spokesperson for Dino Melaye Campaign Council, Omoyemi Olumudi, lamented the wickedness being exhibited by the APC administration in the state, which had withheld the legitimate salaries and pension of workers in addition to squandering the funds meant for the direct benefit of the people in healthcare, education, water resources and other key sectors in the state.
Stating that he had spent his political life working for the emancipation of the people of Kogi, Melaye stressed that the vicissitudes he had suffered in his political career were all predicated on his love for the people of the state, adding that the current situation in Kogi under the APC required urgent intervention.
“It is a Godly injunction that workers deserve their wages. As a fact, the sweat on the workers brow must not dry off before his reward. But what are we witnessing in Kogi State? Our state is insecure and in a country where there is law and order, people are being killed in cold blood just because of election as it happened in Ejule recently.
“We need the prayers of our spiritual fathers because only righteousness exalt a nation but I assure you that when elected as governor, I will work for all the people of Kogi State without ethnic or religious bias.
“I have no doubts that with the guidance of eminent Kogites like you, we will emancipate Kogites from the yoke of the current government in the state. The only choice before us is to end the killings, suffering and fraudulent sack of our people from the public service. This must not continue in Kogi State and we will be counting on God and your support,” he said.
Responding, Bishop Adaji said, “Dino is not a stranger in our political landscape,” stressing that, “as Senator, you opposed situations that would have affected our people gravely and we will continue to be grateful for your contributions towards the emancipation of all our people.
“As a Bishop, I’m a religious leader and we have members across the parties and my duty is to engender harmony. But I will like to state that the forthcoming governorship election must be violence-free.
“It is important to know that there is no difference between a violent election and coup de’tat. We, therefore, appeal to the federal government to guarantee a credible, free and fair election, because killing people to get a leadership position is worse than coup de’tat.”
