The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has rallied the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East to close ranks and commence aggressive grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor made the call at the weekend during the thank-you and victory mobilisation tour of the APC Kogi East Senatorial candidate, Chief Dr Joseph Ameh Erico, which culminated in a colourful homecoming reception at Erico’s hometown, Etutekpe, Okpo, in Olamaboro Local Government Area.
The mobilisation tour, which traversed the three federal constituencies in Kogi East, took the APC campaign train through Idah, Ejule, Anyigba and Ankpa before the final rally in Etutekpe.
The campaign train was led by the deputy governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, and included the APC’s three House of Representatives candidates in Kogi East: Rt Hon Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims for Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency, Hon Paul Gowon Haruna (IJN) for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency and Hon Victor Uchola for Idah Federal Constituency.
Also on the tour were members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, government appointees, APC stakeholders, party leaders and hundreds of supporters.
At Idah, the delegation paid homage to the Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty Dr Alaji Mathew Opaluwa Ogwuche Akpa, CFR, before proceeding to other locations across the senatorial district.
The campaign team also visited Ejule, the hometown of the deputy governor, before moving to Anyigba, the headquarters of the APC zonal secretariat, and subsequently Ankpa, where the delegation engaged party stakeholders and supporters.
The tour was designed to enable Erico appreciate APC leaders, delegates, stakeholders and supporters for their support during the senatorial primary, while simultaneously strengthening the party’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the grand reception in Etutekpe, homestead of senatorial candidate,Governor Ododo, represented by his deputy, congratulated Erico on his emergence and declared the APC’s readiness to secure victory across Kogi East.
The governor said the uploading of the candidate’s name by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had effectively settled the controversy over the APC’s senatorial candidate for Kogi East.
He described Erico’s emergence as a victory for the party, stressing that there was no victor or vanquished within the APC.
Ododo also formally presented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Erico and the three APC House of Representatives candidates to the people, urging party members to unite and work collectively for victory in the 2027 polls.
In his remarks, Erico thanked the people of Kogi East for the confidence reposed in him during the senatorial primary, promising to justify the mandate.
He described his emergence as a victory for the people, stressing that his ambition to represent Kogi East in the Senate was not a personal project but a commitment to providing effective representation and advancing the interests of the people.
“I want to sincerely thank all of you for the confidence you have reposed in me. I will not betray this trust. I will remain accessible to you and will work tirelessly to ensure that the voice and interests of Kogi East are properly represented at the National Assembly,” Erico said.
He called on APC members across the three federal constituencies to remain united and take the party’s message to every ward and polling unit.
According to him, victory in 2027 would be achieved through unity, hard work and sustained grassroots mobilisation.
Erico also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Governor Ododo and Deputy Governor Salifu for their leadership and support, urging APC stakeholders to work together to deliver victory for all the party’s candidates.
Also speaking, the APC candidate for Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims, described the homecoming as an investment in the political future of the people.
Halims urged APC supporters to close ranks and mobilise across the state, expressing optimism that the party would record victory across Kogi East and Kogi State in 2027.
He said with unity, determination and the support of the people, the APC would retain its strength across the three federal constituencies and nine local government areas of Kogi East.
The tour ended with party leaders and supporters reaffirming their commitment to the APC and pledging to commence sustained grassroots mobilisation for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
