Abdulkareem Asuku, the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, has joined the race to replace his boss as the new governor of Kogi State.
Asuku officially declared his intention to run for the exalted seat when he led hundreds of his supporters to the national secretariat of the party last night in Abuja to pick up the N50 million nomination and expression of interest forms.
Bello’s CoS made the headlines in December 2021 when some unknown gunmen abducted his mother, Seriya Raji, from her residence at Inese/Ovakere New Layout in the same state.
Addressing newsmen after he procured his forms, Asuku showered encomium on his boss for encouraging young members of his cabinet to join the race to replace him.
The pharmacist-turned-politician expressed strong conviction that at 39, he is strong-willed, healthy and have the capacity to consolidate on the gains of Bello in the state.
He said, “I present myself to serve and consolidate the numerous achievements of his excellency Yahaya Bello.
“Youths are today in charge in Nigeria and that is why someone like me can come and pick a form to contest for governorship at the age of 39.
“To consolidate the security, infrastructural development, women inclusiveness, and all-inclusiveness of the new direction administration.
“His administration has achieved more than forty per cent of women’s inclusion and this requires consolidation. And more importantly, his God-fearing style of governance. He has brought development to the nook and cranny of Kogi State.
“Today, we are not talking about politics of ethnicity and religious affiliation, we are looking for who can bring development.
“I served as the Chief of staff of this administration and many have referred to it as the engine room of the administration. I believe it better to elect a man who is a part of the God-fearing administration of his excellency.
“It is an open contest and in a democracy, everybody has the right to contest.
“Democracy is a game of numbers and there is nothing likea tribe or no tribe.
“The youths have 75 per cent of the voters registered as provided by INEC the election umpire. If democracy is a game of numbers, the people will make their choice at the right time they will talk.”
