Why I joined Kogi guber race – Governor Bello’s Chief of Staff, Asuku

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Muhammed Jamiu Asuku, at the weekend revealed that he joined the Kogi State governorship contest over his passion and determination to consolidate on the infrastructural and development achievements of incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello.
Fielding questions from journàlists at the national Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja after picking his expression of interest and nomination form of fifty million naira, Asuku said Bello’s administration has recorded tremendous progress in the State, hence he needs a successor who has the capacity to sustain and consolidate.
He said Governor Bello in his administration, empowered young leaders that will continue from where he will stop in the provision of good governance that will benefit the people of the State.
While emphasising the need for sustainability, Asuku said “We have been around since 2016, and I have been a part of the new direction administration of his excellency. His excellency appointed me as the director general, protocol government house at the age of 32 in February 2016.
“I managed that office and running into 2019, October he graciously elevated me as his Chief of staff upon his inauguration on the 27th of January, 2020 he re-appointed me to serve in the exotic capacity as his Chief of staff and I remain CoS”.
But for the constitutional barrier, he said that Kogites would have wanted GYB to continue in office, saying he is offering his service to deepen good governance in the State
“I present myself to serve and consolidate the numerous achievements of his Excellency Yahaya Bello. To consolidate the security, infrastructural development, women inclusiveness, and all-inclusiveness of the new direction administration.
“GYB’s administration has achieved more than forty per cent of women’s inclusion and this requires consolidation. And more importantly, his God-fearing style of governance. He has brought development to the nook and cranny of Kogi state. Today, we are not talking about politics of ethnicity and religious affiliation, we are looking for who can bring development.
“I served as the Chief of staff of this administration and many have referred to it as the engine room of the administration. I believe it better to elect a man who is a part of the God-fearing administration of his excellency”.
“In Kogi by the leadership style of his excellency, we have gone past such sentiments. If there is any sentiment it is that of youths who are the majority. The people from Kogi West will come and I believe some of them have already come and like I said the people will have their say.”