This is as the state Police command confirmed the arrest of 22 members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the state over alleged political thuggery.

The President, who arrived Lokoja Township Stadium, venue of the PDP rally about 12.19pm said he was in there to identify for election of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, describing him as a servant leader.

"Ibrahim Idris is a simple, honest, humble, performer and God fearing, who is a servant leader that is appointed by God to serve the good people of Kogi State."

"Everybody in Nigeria has witnessed the difference between Idris and Audu and you can see the difference between darkness and light, honest and deceit, servant leadership and emperorship," he said.

Yar’Adua said that voting for Idris again was voting for peace, property, progress, trust and honesty while praying God to fulfill their wishes in making Idris the governor of the state.

In their speeches, Prince Ogbulafor, the Senate President, Senator David Mark, Kwara State, governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki the Acting governor Clarence Olafemi and in promised to deliver Kogi State to the PDP in the Saturday governorship election.

Responding, Idris noted that PDP was the only party accepted by the people of the state stressing that they cannot afford to be in opposition on the arrest of OPC members, Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike, Okiro who paraded the 22 suspected political thugs arrested in Kogi said they were arrested by mobile policemen on Tuesday at Okene in two 18-seater buses with registration numbers XA 469 KAB (Kogi) and XE 409 FGE (Kano) respectively.

He said that the suspects were traveling with arms from Kabba and Aiyetoro Gbede to Anyingba when they were intercepted by the police.

"On interrogation, it was revealed that they were OPC members going to Anyingba for a political rally and that their leaders were in another bus which never arrived the scene of the arrest,’’ he said.

Okiro said that investigation into the matter had commenced with a view to identifying and arresting the sponsors of the suspects.

He said that exhibits recovered from suspects were one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, three axes, two chop knives and various charms.

Okiro said that the suspects wanted to use the recovered exhibits to cause trouble in Kogi.

He said the police would not tolerate any act of lawlessness during and after Saturday’s rescheduled gubernatorial election.

Okiro advised parents and guardians to talk to and control their children and wards against crime.

Okiro had on Feb. 28 and March 18,met with gubernatorial candidates and top politicians from the state on how to ensure a peaceful fresh governorship election in the area.