THE candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Murtala Ajaka, has identified himself as the most popular candidate ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
Ajaka, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stated that the people of Kogi State support him and will vote his party into office.
“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,” he said on Tuesday.
“That is why he (Governor Yahaya Bello) is after me. He knows his candidate is not popular. His candidate is part of the problem.”
He also accused the Kogi State governor of installing Ahmed Ododo, the state’s former Auditor General of Local Government, as the flagbearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over an alleged arrangement.
Although Ajaka did not elaborate on the alleged pact, he went on to say that Kogi civil servants and citizens are opposed to the APC candidate.
According to him, outgoing Governor Bello is planning a presidential run in 2027, which is why he chose to impose Ododo on the people.
“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,” Ajaka added.
Asked to shed more light on the deal, the SDP candidate stated: “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 further in the interview, Ajaka spoke on his academic qualification for the state’s top job, saying he possesses the requisite credentials to occupy the Lugard Government House in Lokoja.
Describing himself as ‘more than qualified,’ the governorship candidate said he fielded the minimum requirement – 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.”
