One of the contestants for the Kogi West Senatorial seat, Senator Smart Adeyemi, has signified his intention to withdraw from the race, citing the party’s interest, supremacy, and the “overall interest of unity, peace, and victory for our great party.”
The three-term senator, in a strongly worded press statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Sunday, said that as a committed democrat, he believes politics must never be driven by bitterness or personal animosity, but by service to the people.
The statement reads:
“I have been duly informed and briefed about the position of stakeholders from the Western Senatorial District, including other critical stakeholders, regarding the primary elections.
“After careful consultations and consideration of all submissions made, I have resolved to take into account very necessary factors that will ensure victory for our great party in the forthcoming gubernatorial and National Assembly elections.
“The stakeholders reached their conclusion during a solidarity meeting following a series of extensive consultations and harmonisation meetings held on four consecutive occasions, including the meeting held on Monday at the residence of Commander Jerry Omadara (Rtd.) with other distinguished stakeholders.
“Having carefully reviewed all the issues raised, I hereby formally accept the collective position of the stakeholders on rotational factors and political considerations to ensure peace and stability.
“Following extensive deliberations and harmonisation meetings over the past two weeks, including Friday consultations, the stakeholders, in their wisdom, resolved to endorse Senator Sunday Karimi to contest for another term representing Kogi West Senatorial District, despite the fact that five aspirants had indicated interest in contesting for the position.
“Although I remain the sole aspirant from my own federal constituency, after carefully considering the provisions of the constitution and the collective position of the stakeholders, I have decided to withdraw from the race in the overriding interest of our great party, the APC, so as to strengthen unity, cohesion, and oneness within Kogi State.
“According to Martin Luther King Jr., ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands at moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’
“This decision has become necessary as we prepare for future electoral contests, particularly the Presidential and National Assembly elections. I firmly believe that our unity will make us stronger and better positioned to achieve victory without unnecessary distractions or division.
“As a committed democrat, I believe politics must never be driven by bitterness or personal animosity. The essence of politics is to represent the interest of the people, defend their welfare, and ensure peace, stability, and development of our state and nation at large.
“I therefore appeal to my supporters, loyalists, and associates across Kogi State and beyond to always place the interest of the party above personal ambition. I urge my supporters and other party faithful to go ahead and vote for Senator Sunday Karimi as the candidate of the party, as my kind of politics is without bitterness and animosity.”
Senator Smart Adeyemi, who emphasised the importance of the presidential election and the need for everyone to work collectively towards delivering overwhelming support and a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu, said all party members must remain united and committed to the collective interest of Kogi State and Nigeria above every individual consideration.
In his words:
“I am fully convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria and Nigerians. His administration has embarked on bold and far-reaching economic reforms aimed at revitalising socio-economic development, strengthening the economy, creating jobs, generating wealth, and laying the foundation for sustainable prosperity in ways not witnessed in decades.
“The President is laying a solid foundation for a brighter future for generations yet unborn and repositioning Nigeria positively within the global community of nations.
“While some of the economic policies may appear challenging in the short term, they are necessary reforms designed to secure long-term growth, stability, and prosperity for our nation. We must, therefore, continue to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and remain steadfast in ensuring the success of these transformative reforms.
“I also wish to sincerely commend the Governor of Kogi State for his visionary leadership and the remarkable projects currently ongoing across the state. In particular, I commend the New Airport project, which is fundamental to accelerating the economic development of our state.
“Beyond serving as our local airport, it is strategically envisioned as a complementary facility to the Abuja International Airport. This is highly visionary and deserving of commendation.
“I also want to sincerely thank the former governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, for his sterling qualities and unwavering commitment to the progress and stability of our party in the state, as well as his commitment towards President Tinubu’s second-term election.”
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