The Forum of Senior Special Assistants to the Governors of North Central states has appointed the Kogi East All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Candidate, Chief Dr. Joseph Ameh Erico, as its National Adviser.
The appointment was announced when members of the forum paid a courtesy visit to Erico in his office as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration on grassroots mobilisation, governance and regional development.
Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the forum, Hon. Prince Ezekiel Oruma, said the body was established to bridge the gap between government and the people by supporting government policies and ensuring that programmes reached communities at the grassroots.
Hon. Oruma said the forum was committed to promoting peace, development and prosperity across the North Central region in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
According to him, Senior Special Assistants occupy a strategic position because of their closeness to the people and their role in explaining government policies and programmes.
“As Senior Special Assistants, our primary role is to mobilise support for our principals at the grassroots. We are the closest to the people. We interpret government policies, defend them, and ensure our people understand and key into them,” he said.
The chairman said the forum was also working to support the continuity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration beyond 2027, describing the move as an effort to sustain what he called positive developments in governance.
He commended the Federal Government’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had increased resources available to state governments for development.
Hon. Oruma said Chief Erico’s experience, disposition and commitment to peace and development informed the decision to confer the national advisory role on him.
“We have collectively resolved to appoint you as the National Adviser of the Forum of Senior Special Assistants to the Governors of North Central,” he said.
The forum also sought Chief Erico’s partnership in promoting peace, security and development across the region.
Hon. Oruma further appealed to the people of Kogi East to support Chief Erico’s senatorial ambition, saying his experience would be valuable in effective representation and lawmaking at the National Assembly.
Responding, Chief Erico expressed appreciation for the appointment and thanked the members for the confidence reposed in him.
He described the North Central as “the heartbeat of the nation” and commended the SSAs for their grassroots engagement and role in connecting government with ordinary citizens.
“As SSAs, it is believed that you are the grassroots people. As grassroots people, the President believes in the grassroots. I am a product of the benchmark of grassroots solidarity because the grassroots contributed immensely to the victory during my primary election,” Erico said.
The Kogi East APC senatorial candidate also assured President Tinubu of strong support from the zone, saying the people would reciprocate what he described as the benefits of the administration’s policies and programmes.
“I am assuring the President that Kogi East will deliver one hundred percent for him in the forthcoming election. He has done so much for us and we are going to reciprocate it,” he said.
Chief Erico pledged to work closely with the forum and other stakeholders to advance peace, security and development in Kogi State and the wider North Central region.
Hon. Matthew Ochada
Chief Press Secretary to
Chief Dr. Joseph Ameh Erico
APC Kogi East Senatorial Candidate
September 22, 2026.
