APC Cautions Kogi PDP and SDP Governorship Candidates Against Incitement of Violence

In a press briefing on Thursday, Mr Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), admonished the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) to refrain from making comments that could incite violence following their defeat in the recent off-cycle election in Kogi State on November 11.

Usman Ododo, the APC candidate, emerged victorious with 446,237 votes, defeating Muri Ajaka of the SDP and Dino Melaye of the PDP, who secured 259,052 and 46,362 votes, respectively, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Despite the declared results, both Dino Melaye and Muri Ajaka have rejected the outcome and pledged not to challenge it in court. Mr. Morka, accompanied by Duro Meseko, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, urged these opposition candidates to emulate the APC’s spirit of sportsmanship in Bayelsa State, where they accepted the result gracefully.

Addressing the media, Morka emphasized the importance of seeking legal redress instead of attempting to cause unrest in the state. He highlighted the peaceful approach taken by the APC in Bayelsa, contrasting it with the incendiary statements from the SDP and PDP in Kogi.

Morka expressed concern about the potential unrest in Kogi and rejected any blame placed on the APC for the statements made by the opposition. He emphasized the party’s respect for the judiciary and its role in democracy, citing the example of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, an APC candidate in Delta, who challenged the result in court.

The APC called on opposition parties in Kogi to pursue their cases in court and urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into recent attacks. Morka emphasized that while elections may not be flawless, the focus should be on legal channels rather than inciting unrest.