The members of the National Assembly from Kogi State on Tuesday commended Governor Yahaya Bello for superintending over a “peaceful and credible November 11, 2023 governorship election’ in the state.

The lawmakers, comprising Senators (excluding Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party) and members of the House of Representatives made the commendation during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Lokoja.

A statement by the governor’s Media Aide, Onogwu Muhammed, said the lawmakers congratulated the governor on “the resounding victory of the All Progressives Congress and the emergence of Usman Ododo as Governor-elect of Kogi.

According to the lawmakers, the November election was adjudged peaceful, credible, free and fair by local and international observers.

Speaking one after the other, Senator Jibrin Isah-Echocho (All Progressives Congress-Kogi) representing Kogi East, commended Mr Bello for what he described as his sterling leadership which paved the way for the victory.

He pledged the lawmakers’ loyalty to the governor and the governor-elect.

Also, Senator Sunday Karimi lauded the governor’s ingenuity and called for magnanimity in putting the election’s challenges behind and expanding the APC’s space in Kogi.

In his remarks, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Halims, commended Bello’s wisdom and exemplary leadership, assuring the governor of efforts to unite APC members in his constituency and the entire Kogi East.

In their separate remarks, AbdulRahim Danga representing Okehi/Adavi on the platform of the PDP and Salman Idris of the ADC representing Kabba/Ijumu, commended Mr Bello’s fairness and democratic approach during the conduct of their elections.

The duo eulogised the governor for what they termed as his large heart, political sagacity and understanding, describing him as a fair player in the field of politics.

They said the governor had everything to truncate their chances of emerging victorious in the election that produced them as witnessed in other states.

They said, “As a democrat, Bello allowed the electioneering processes to go smoothly without intimidating opponents of his political party.”

Mr Bello, who welcomed the lawmakers warmly, commended their contributions to the victory of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.

The governor emphasised the importance of being genuine, truthful, and committed, urging them to do more in delivering the best to their respective constituencies as they had been doing.

Mr Bello expressed gratitude to them for their roles in the election, advising them to work collaboratively for the advancement of the Nigerian legislature, particularly for the benefit of their constituents.

Acknowledging the forthcoming leadership transition in the state on January 27, Mr Bello urged the lawmakers to support Mr Ododo in consolidating and continuing the positive trajectory set by his administration.

Mr Bello, who advised the lawmakers to move past election-related conflicts and focus on positive lessons learned, emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration in ensuring the success of the APC in the state.

In his response, the governor-elect noted the place of Mr Bello’s leadership style in fostering unity across the state without ethnic or political bias.

He recounted the governor’s dedicated efforts in supporting the National Assembly members during party primaries, general elections, and post-election legal challenges and appreciated his selfless commitment to placing individuals in key positions and ensuring a peaceful and secure Kogi.

(NAN)