By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Residents of Lokoja Local Government Area have applauded the council chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, for his decision to exclude a former chairman from the list of award recipients during the council’s one-year anniversary celebration held at Reveton Hotel, Lokoja on Thursday.
They described the move as courageous, fair, and long overdue, noting that it reflected the chairman’s commitment to integrity and merit in governance.
According to them, the exclusion was justified, given the former chairman’s record of poor performance, divisive politics, and alleged abuse of power while in office.
Residents recalled that during his tenure, the ex-chairman allegedly suspended teachers and council staff who refused to vote for his political party, creating fear and disunity across the local government area.
“He was known for victimization and arrogance,” one resident said.
“Instead of serving the people, he engaged in politics of bitterness and neglected his duty to the community.”
Another resident added that even after leaving office more than three decades ago, the former chairman has remained a source of division within the All Progressives Congress (APC), holding factional meetings and consistently criticizing party leaders.
Despite his current appointment with the state government, residents alleged that he has been romancing members of opposition parties and mobilizing his few loyal supporters to vote against the APC during elections.
They further alleged that the former chairman has a long history of turning against his benefactors.
According to them, he always ends up fighting and criticizing those who once stood by him — including former Governor Ibrahim Idris, former Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Smart Adeyemi, former FCT Minister of State Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, APC leader, Alhaji Sulaiman Baba-Ali, and Senator Sunday Karimi, among others.
Residents also described him as a man with no political value, claiming that he cannot even win in his own Ward.
“He never appreciates those who helped him,” a resident lamented.
“People who supported him financially and even empowered his family are now the ones he publicly insults. He has never ended well with his benefactors.”
The residents called on the APC leadership in Kogi State to suspend him for anti-party activities, stressing that his continued interference could harm the unity of the party at the grassroots.
They praised Comrade Abdullahi Adamu for his principled leadership, describing him as a man guided by fairness, discipline, and transparency.
“His administration has brought unity, accountability, and progress to Lokoja Local Government,” another resident remarked.
“By recognizing only those who truly served the people, he has set a new standard for leadership.”
The one-year anniversary celebration, chaired by His Excellency Alhaji Suleiman Baba-Ali, the APC leader in Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency and Gabi Sayadi of Lokoja, attracted dignitaries including traditional rulers, past chairmen, and political stakeholders.
Awards were presented to deserving personalities who have contributed to the development of the local government.
Residents concluded by urging Comrade Adamu to remain steadfast in promoting peace, unity, and development, while ignoring those attempting to sow discord for personal interest.
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