Ahead of November 11 governorship election in Kogi state, the National Association of Okun Students (NAOS) has thrown its weight behind the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Dino Melaye.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, President of NAOS, Comrade Ajibade Olamilekan David, stated that their decision to endorse Melaye enjoyed the support of thousands of Okun students and the broader Kogi West students.
Ajibade said the students group narrowed its choice to Melaye after carefully analysing the capacity and competence of the three governorship candidates from Kogi West senatorial district.
He described Melaye as the best of the three candidates from the zone based on his antecedents and experience and exposure.
The students leader submitted that Melaye’s achievements as elected representative of the people of Kogi West is unprecedented.
“The PDP candidate has proven beyond reasonable doubts that he has all it takes to make our dear State a prosperous place for all and sundry.
“The capacities he demonstrated during his last held positions are second to none in our history. Kogi West benefitted in project development during his term as Senator representing Kogi West.
“Also, his outspoken and vibrant spirit towards ensuring good governance in Nigeria as a whole is evidence of his zeal for growth.
“After our long consultation, we noticed that the street credibility and love for Dino Melaye were not met by any other candidates. Our Students and Youths across Kogi West and across the entire scope of Nigeria see Dino Melaye as the Voice for the Voiceless and therefore have given their unalloyed pledge of vote to his candidacy. We have visited our various schools, and the love for Dino is so massive that it is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf.
“Senator Dino Melaye was at various times a Student Union Leader like us. He became a Representative Member of Kabba Bunu/ Ijumu Federal Constituency. He went on to be elected twice as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is on record that he received the award of the most outstanding Senator during his terms in the Senate, where he served in various capacities. His accumulated experience is adequate to recommend him for a greater responsibility.
“Senator Dino Melaye is best in terms of relating with students and youths as he sees us as one of his constituents. He is a Comrade like us who always takes pleasure in meeting and interacting with us. His Love for youths’ development is unprecedented and, of course, unequalled by any of the candidates.
“Senator Dino Melaye has obtained diverse credentials and administrative knowledge which make him soundly equipped and brilliantly positioned more than other candidates in our District. It shall be just enough to put all our eggs in a safe basket, to get it right now and for once,” he said.
Speaking on political structures, the Okun Students Group said the PDP, which Melaye represents, is the most viable platform among the three parties that have presented candidates in Kogi West district.
“The party does not only have vibrant structures in Kogi West, it is deeply rooted in the state and at the national level. Overlooking the PDP for some smaller parties will only amount to cutting the nose to spite the face.”
They called on all students and workers to vote massively for Senator Melaye on November 11.
Responding to questions from newsmen on the recent endorsement of Leke Abejide, governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), by Kogi West Elders Forum (KWEF), Ajibade said it was “fake”.
He said KWEF’s action was “a kangaroo and uncoordinated endorsement” as no consultation was made. before announcing a consensus candidate.
He added that KWEF’s endorsement of Abejide was a case of “cutting the nose to spite the face”.