by Danusa Ocholi
A former President of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi on Thursday took a bold step towards actualizing his aspiration to be the next governor of Kogi State when he purchased the nomination form to contest for the governorship primaries of the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Addressing hundreds of his supporters who came from all over Kogi state at a reception he held for them at Area One, Abuja , the former NFF leader promised to work tirelessly to bring smiles to the faces of Kogites whom he said have become despondent in the last three and a half years as a result of hunger, deprivations, and economic disempowerment occasioned by non-payment of salaries and overall mismanagement of the present administration in the State.
Alhaji Sani Lulu promised to liaise with the various stake holders in the state to salvage the situation, and to work assiduously to make the troubled Confluence State regain its eminent position among the states of the Federation if given the opportunity to administer the state.
He said a lot of work needs to be done, and promised Kogites that he will run an open, accountable government without discrimination in any form , either on account of tribe or religion.
The governorship aspirant declared: “It is a known fact that I inherited a debt of N300 million when I assumed office at the Glass House in August 2006,but left a robust N2.8 billion at the end of my tenure in 2010. A state like Kogi in dire straits today needs an experienced, focused and one that has zero tolerance for corruption like me, at this point in time.”
Chairman of the event Alhaji Abdullahi Ndanusa, who has known Alhaji Lulu for more than 40 years enjoined Kogites to work collectively to ensure that Lulu wins his party’s primaries and the overall state election, describing him as one of the most focused, down-to earth and egalitarian administrators he has ever related with.
He lamented that the situation in Kogi has degenerated to the level that the people of the state can no longer fold their arms and allow the situation to deteriorate further.
Speaking in a similar vein, Otunba Adekunle Olawoyen, described the aspirant as a household name in the country and one that has made his mark in sports and other spheres.
Otunba Olawoyen described Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi as the man that will rescue the state from its grinding poverty and general backwardness , and urged the APC card-carrying members in the state to effect the real change by voting Sani Lulu in the primaries and the main election.
Women Leader of Lulu’s Campaign Organisation ,and a front liner of Buhari/Osinbajo Support Group, Ambassador Fatima Adams described Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi as the best person to take over the reins of leadership of the state, describing him as a tested and trusted administrator.
According to the women’s leader “ He is a calm and accessible person. He has a listening ear, he hs tasted power before but he does not allow that t intoxicate him. …Kogi state will turn a new leaf with Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi in charge.”