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“THE only way we can make this
victory sweeter is to collectively join hands to build a virile Kogi
State” The vision I live for now is that whenever my name is
mentioned in future, it will not be offensive but rather synonymous
with the liberation of Kogi people from poverty and slavery.”
These were the words of Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State during
a state broadcast sequel to the historic judgment delivered last
week by Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which
validated his mandate as the duly elected governor of the state via
the re-run election on 29th March, 2008.
He saluted “the courage of the Election Tribunal for taking the
pains to give this judgment “the thoroughness, fairness and
objectivity it deserves.” He added, “the Tribunal, through a
unanimous verdict dismissed the petition filed by the defeated ANPP
governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, for lack of merit
while his allegation of certificate forgery which he blew to the
heights of blackmail and deliberate falsehood leveled against me was
also thrown out.”
The governor, implored Kogians to regard “the verdict as a force
that has ushered in freedom, a force that has liberated the state
from the few men whose dream it has always been to draw the state
into their narrow scheme of personal interests.”
Governor Idris who stated that the judgment marked the beginning of
a journey of total restoration of lost glory, assured Kogians of
absolute commitment to the development of the state, as he remarked,
“I shall go to work with my team of committed, loyal, prudent Kogi
sons and daughters.”
He declared that his administration has no room for vendetta,
saying, “my door is open to all, including those in opposition who
have genuine intention for the development of Kogi State.”
While he called on them to partner with his administration “in the
struggle to give our people their deserved rights to live,” he
cautioned his supporters to refrain from any act that is capable of
breaching the peace of the state.
Earlier, while addressing party supporters who thronged Government
House, Lokoja, the governor glorified God for the verdict. He said
Kogians and well-meaning Nigerians should draw two lessons from the
Tribunal’s verdict. The first he said is that, it is only God who
has power to enthrone whoever He chooses, while the second is that,
truth always prevails no matter how long it takes.
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