Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Smart Adeyemi has urged those speculating that he would contest Kogi State governorship in 2023 to count him out of the race.
He described the speculation as “fictional delusions of grandeur”, pushed by political enemies and political hangers-on alike, noting that he understands their antics better.
Disowning publications, and campaign posters littering all over the places, Adeyemi said political enemies are at work, while appealing to them to excuse him of their manipulations.
The Smart Adeyemi for Kogi governor became heightened ahead of Kogi Local Government election which comes up later this year, he said, he won’t endorse any candidate as Chairman or Councillor.
“I am making a passionate appeal to my political opponents, saboteurs, and praise singers alike, to leave me alone to focus on my mandate so that I can give my constituents quality and effective representation.
The lawmaker insisted that the publications and campaign posters are unsolicited and act of sabotage, saying that he will not tolerate it.
In an elaborate statement he issued on Wednesday, Senator Adeyemi said some people behind the plot for cladestine succession in the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of 2023 were known and unknown to him.
“My attention has been drawn to online publications and physical display of posters purporting to insinuate that I, Senator Smart Adeyemi, have any intention to run for the governorship election in Kogi State by some known and unknown individuals.
“May I reiterate that I came into office as a third-term Senator by the grace of the Almighty God.
“As at the time I joined APC, it was not in my calculations to return to the chambers as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria having served two terms successfully.
“It pleased God through the party, the electorate’s support and the leadership of our governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, that I emerged the people’s candidate with the sole aim of giving the people of Kogi West quality and effective representation in the red chamber, a duty I have passionately strived to execute with a view to salvaging and restoring the good image of our people, locally and internationally.
“The ongoing publications of my person making the rounds are solely intended for the purposes of collusion, distraction, detraction and confusion.
“I consider it unkind, uncivilized, unislamic, unbiblical, apolitical and inhuman to commence circulations towards the 2023.
“I ask the individuals behind these publications to immediately desist from such extreme and intolerable anti-party behaviour and misdemeanors.
“May I be allowed to focus on the job I have been called to do as there is no time for negative and inciting politicking but time to work assiduously to meet the aspirations and expectations of my beloved constituents. I have absolutely no need for the cheap and unsolicited advertisement and propaganda.
“Also, it is too early for any well meaning indigene to begin imaginary projections for 2023. Consequently anyone who is unilaterally engaging in such an act cannot be a friend of the state and invariably will be considered an enemy. The governor and the party as a whole are better placed at the relevant time to determine the way forward for Kogi State and it is our collective responsibility to continue to give them our unwavering support.”
