Ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, Accord Party (AP) has affirmed Usman Jibrin, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as substantive candidate.

Unveiling the hopeful, after delegates’ affirmation in Lokoja, yesterday, AP National Chairman, Mohammed Nalado, described Jibrin as a viable and valuable candidate, who possesses the charisma, capacity, experience and popularity needed to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He explained: “The process that produced the candidate was very transparent, as the placeholder, Ahmed Ibrahim, voluntarily withdrew for Jibrin to emerge through affirmation by party delegates from the 21 local councils of Kogi State.”

He assured that the candidate would deliver dividends of democracy to the people. Nalado also solicited the support of party members and people of Kogi towards winning the election and salvaging the state.

In his remarks, the legal adviser of the party, who is also chairman of the electoral committee, Maxwell Mgbudem, commended the AP leadership for seamless conduct of the exercise that led to unveiling of the candidate.

Delivering his acceptance speech, Jibrin said he took the ticket to contest and win, adding that this would enable him to rescue the state from the hands of leaders, who have plunged Kogi into precarious waters.

He said: “Accord Party has taken a position in Kogi politics, and I am happy to be the candidate of the party. I thank Ahmed Ibrahim, who withdrew for me to emerge, and I am assuring our teeming supporters that the party will not disappoint them, if given the mandate in November, 2023.”

While speaking on percentage payment of salaries at local councils, the candidate assured that under his watch, as governor, all civil servants would receive their full pay duly. He also promised that workers, who were unjustly sacked, would be reinstated.