The Department of State Services (DSS) at the weekend drilled the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo with respect to allegations contained in a petition filed against him.

Despite Ododo’s drilling, five political parties and their governorship candidates under the aegis of United Progressive Political Parties in Kogi State endorsed Ododo for the next governorship election scheduled to hold on November 11.

Ododo’s drilling followed the invitation by the secret police to answer questions regarding a petition against him by some members of the opposition political parties.

Findings revealed that the APC governorship candidate honoured the invitation as a law-abiding citizen, now aspiring to lead the state, he honoured the invitation.

A member of the Usman Ododo Campaign Council privately observed that the allegations contained in the petition “are frivolous and unfounded. But it is incumbent on the APC governorship candidate to respect a constituted authority such as the DSS.

He also acknowledged that a team of operatives at the DSS drilled Ododo for hours and he gave convincing explanations to the interrogators.

He said: “We commend the professionalism of the DSS and pledge our cooperation to whatever measures taken or that would be taken to ensure a peaceful Kogi and a peaceful poll on November 11, 2023.

“We assure supporters of the APC governorship candidate that he has since left the DSS Office to continue his consultations with Kogites ahead of the Guber poll. Our commitment to peace and tranquillity is iron cast.”

“Every Kogite and every supporter of Ododo should endeavour to be peaceful in all their activities towards the election,” the Ododo Campaign Council chieftain observed.

Also, yesterday, the political parties compriseAction Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Boot Party (BP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)

The spokesman of the political parties and NRM’s governorship candidate , Mallam Bala Dirisu disclosed this at the endorsement of APC candidate, Loloja yesterday.

Dirisu stated that the political parties “have resolved to align and throw their weight behind the APC candidate.

He noted that they had come to this crucial decision after a thorough x-ray of the line up for this important election in terms of their background, antecedents and ability to deliver the needed aspirations and yearnings of the good people of Kogi State.

He said: “We have taken into cognisance a candidate who is a key driver who is well groomed in Governor Yahaya Bello’s new direction agenda and well versed in its philosophy for the historic transformation and consolidation of Kogi State.

“The political parties, comprised seasoned and tested politicians and activists, have taken cognisance of the pedigree, competence, capacity and ability to deliver out of all the candidates seeking the exalted office and found Alhaji Usman Ododo worthy based on humility, dexterity, steadfastness, focused and promising.

“We saw in him the prospects of being able to face the realities of governance where the poorest of the poor will be given a chance to participate in a system where the son of nobody can aspire freely to become somebody.

“We, therefore, appeal to our brothers and sisters from the East and West to massively support and work for the APC candidate in the next governorship election for the purpose, focused leadership especially now that President Bola Tinubu has already engaged in an all-inclusive government for all political parties.

“We use this medium as a call to all political parties to work collectively for the APC candidate for progressive leadership and consolidation,” the spokesman said.