Kogi gov. election: How ADP members split over Ododo, Ajaka

Crisis has hit the Kogi chapter of Action Democratic Party, ADP, over which of the candidates of two parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and Social Democratic Party, SDP, to support in the State’s November 2023 governorship election.

 

While the ADP candidate, a lawyer, Pa Julius Elukpo has declared support for his SDP rival, Alhaji Murtala Ajaka, his party executives pitched tent with the APC.

 

Trouble started on Saturday when some members of the state ADP state EXCO, led by Chairman, Prince Yahaya Mamma, joined four other parties to endorse APC’s Usman Ahmed Ododo,

 

The parties, under the aegis of United Progressives Political Parties, UPPP, said they were collapsing their structure into that of the APC, in the interest of the state, accusing their candidates of lacking political will.

 

Elukpo considered the action an affront, as he had earlier confirmed his preference and collaboration with Ajaka, an action he said was not hidden from the party’s national leadership.

 

Promptly, he reacted to the development. In a statement he sent to newsmen in Lokoja on Monday, 31 July, he berated the action. “I was embarrassed when I heard from the news reports between 25 to 31 July 2023 in respect of the above subject matter.

 

“I am the Governorship Candidate for Actions Democratic Party (ADP) in Kogi State for the 11 November 2023 Election. There was never a time I conceded or stepped down for the Candidate of All Progressives Congress’ Party (APC), Alhaji Usman Ododo.

 

“While appropriate action will be taken against the culprits; it will be appreciated, in the interest of balance reporting, if you could denounce and refute your earlier reports appropriately, and accordingly as it concerns ADP.”

 

However, the state Chairman of ADP said he will not engage in any banter with Elukpo over his decision to lead the state executive to APC, stressing that he will wait for Elukpo to report to national body, before he will issue an appropriate response.