‘Yahaya Bello Is After Me Because I Will Win Kogi Election’

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Murtala Ajaka has expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.

Ajaka, during an interview on Channels TV, described himself as the most popular contestant in the state.

He further stated that the people of Kogi State are with him and will vote his party into office.

Ajaka said the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello is after him because he knows his candidate is not popular in the state.

The SDP Governorship candidate on Tuesday said, “I am the most popular candidate in the state. By the grace of God, the people are with me. By November 11, I am going to win the election.

“That is why he (Governor Yahaya Bello) is after me. He knows his candidate is not popular. His candidate is part of the problem.”

Ajaka accused Governor Bello of forcing a former Auditor General of Local Government in the state, Ahmed Ododo, as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over an alleged deal.

The SDP governorship candidate, however, did not reveal what the deal is, he claimed that civil servants in Kogi as well as citizens of the state are against the APC candidate.

He added that Governor Bello is nursing a presidential ambition in 2027, hence his decision to foist Ododo on the people.

Ajaka added, “The civil servants in the state are against his candidate, virtually everybody in the state is against the candidate. He is the one putting this candidate because of the deal they have.”

When asked to shed more light on the deal between Bello and Ododo, the SDP candidate said, “At the appointed time, we will let the world know.

“He is putting this guy forward because Yahaya Bello wants to contest the 2027 presidential election. Take it to the bank.”

Speaking on his academic qualification for the state’s top job, Ajaka said he possesses the requisite credentials to occupy the Lord Lugard Government House in Lokoja.

The governorship candidate said he fielded the minimum requirement, a Senior School Certificate in accordance with the Constitution, adding that he has a degree to his pocket.

He added, “I have more than a school certificate. I have my first degree in Public Administration but of course, the constitution says ‘the minimum requirement.

“I have to submit the one I know that nobody can call and change anything there. You can see what they are trying to do to my deputy now. The state government in collaboration with security agencies in the state has taken my deputy to court.”