President Bola Tinubu formally handed over the All Progressive Congress (APC) endorsement flags to gubernatorial candidates contesting in the November 11 elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states during an event held at the Banquet Hall of the State House yesterday. Among the recipients were Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo, seeking re-election, Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa, and Usman Ododo for Kogi.
The occasion witnessed the presence of key figures, including APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, National Working Committee (NWC) members, and various guests of the candidates. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had set November 11, 2023, as the date for these off-season elections across the three states.
Ganduje led the trio of candidates to the Presidential Villa, where the endorsement flags were handed over to them by President Tinubu. The President stressed the importance of free and fair elections, expressing confidence in the candidates’ capabilities: “All I am pleading for is free and fair elections. I believe we will do well.”
Tinubu specifically commended Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for his efforts to pave the way for another APC candidate, Usman Ododo. He expressed gratitude to “Hope Uzodimma, the great hope of our party, and the chairman, Progressive Governors’ Forum,” acknowledging their commendable work. Furthermore, he lauded Timipre Sylva, recognizing his achievements as a former governor and minister of petroleum resources.
Emphasizing the collective commitment to democracy in the forthcoming off-season election, Tinubu expressed hope and confidence that the candidates would emerge victorious: “We are all fronting a crusade for democracy, in particular, in this off-season election. It’s our hope and my hope, we believe, you will all always come out victorious.”
