A former governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, has described as
criminal, allegation that he has endorsed one Deji Adeyanju as his
candidate for the National Publicity Secretary of the party in its
forthcoming national convention scheduled for Port Harcourt.
According to him, Kogi State PDP stakeholders have not yet said anything
regarding any endorsement plans on anyone, “even though we are going to
come together and select the best candidate with the required performing
skills for the position.”
Wada in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by his Personal Assistant,
Ibrahim Abdulkarim Wada, said, “but for now, we are yet to do that.”
The ex-governor said, “My attention has been drawn to a publication in
Vanguard Newspapers claiming that I, Idris Wada endorsed Deji Adeyanju for
the office of the National Publicity Secretary of our great party, the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“It is indeed a situation I call unfortunate because that is not coming
from me.
“As the leader of the party in Kogi state, it is my duty to see to it that
we build a wall that can stand the test of time, and not moulding on a
cracked wall.
“I want to first of all state clearly here that at no point did I ever
endorse any one for such a highly esteemed office, knowing the gravity of
what it takes to operate from such an office.
“I wouldn’t have made such a monumental mistake knowing the kind of
impression such will breed up.
“The above claim that I endorsed Deji Adeyanju, is rather unfortunate
because our polity is becoming more intimidating where candidates decide
to use the powers at their disposals to scare others off the race, but it
is not supposed to be so.”
“As for Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (Ibro), the two-time Governor of Kogi State,
he has never meet Deji Adeyanju for once and it is practically impossible
for him to endorse a candidate he has never met.
The Kogi State stakeholders have not yet said anything regarding any
endorsement plans on anyone, even though we are going to come together and
select the best candidate with the required performing skills for the
position.
“But for now we are yet to do that.
“I call on all the contestants to please conduct themselves and avoid
venturing into ways which are against the ethics of democracy.
“Because using someone’s name to gain favour without such a person’s
consent is a crime, not only to that person but even before the eyes of
the law.
“As I speak to you right now, even the two former governors of Kogi state
whose names were mentioned as part of the endorsement have also denied the
said involvement in the endorsement saga.
“[They have] have warned also that until the entire Kogites sits, there
will be no presentation or rather endorsement of any candidate.
“I am a man of repute and always belief that whatever is worth doing
should be done well. Politics is devoid of sarcasm and forgery.
“We Kogites will not give too or part of evil intentions as far as the
restructuring and building of PDP is concerned.
“I, Captain Idris Wada, therefore disassociate myself and the working body
of Kogi state PDP from the said claim of endorsing Deji Adeyanju or anyone
for now as screening of candidates has not yet been conducted.
“So there cannot be anything of such until we meet as a body and as a
family which we are.
“Then we can come up with the best candidates to handle the image making
office of our party, PDP.
“Lastly, I want to also call on all party faithfuls to embrace peace for
the interest of the party.
“Let us not see this formation of the incoming National Working Committee
(NWC) as a do or die affair.
“I believe that we are all fighting to arrive at the same point even
though we are using different ways.
“But let’s be moderate and always allow the spirit of sportsmanship to
play a major role.”