A coalition of 45 political parties in Kogi State  on Wednesday adopted Governor Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in the state.

Chairman of the coalition, Alhaji Sanni Teidi who announced the endorsement at a press briefing in Lokoja, the state capital also directed their members to vote massively for Bello.

Teidi claimed that the 44 political parties had objectively analyzed all parties and their candidates and came to the conclusion that Governor Bello was head and shoulders above the rest.

He maintained that the governor’s first term which he is rounding up has been successful and therefore he is justified enough to seek re-election for another four years in office. 

The chairman stated that besides the visible indices of development which have been witnessed under Bello’s leadership, the Governor has also eliminated ethnic, religious and class differences among the people of the state.

He emphasized that Governor Bello’s quest for re-election was also an avenue to ensure equity in the seat of power for other districts in the state, particularly the Central District which was occupying the seat for the first time.

Teidi however warned against increasing ethnic tension which he said some parties were using in their campaigns, stressing that such was a serious disincentive both to the coalition and the voters in the state.