Richard Elesho
The ruling All Progressives Congress in Kogi State has continued to reap bountifully from the disarray among members of the opposition parties. On Monday, several opposition members led by former Governor Idris Wada, former deputy governorship hopeful Samuel Abenemi, and serving lawmaker, Bode Oginmola, led their respective supporters to the APC.
While Wada ruled the state from 2012 to 2016 on the platform of the troubled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abenemi was the running mate to Alh. Murtala Ajaka, candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the 2023 Kogi governorship election. Ogunmola is the member representing Ogori-Magongo constituency in the state House of Representatives. Assembly.
The event took place at the Muhammadu Buhari Square, where thousands of party supporters had gathered since about 10 am. However, the ceremony did not start until about 4:30 p.m., when vice-president Kashim Shettima arrived to receive the decampees to the party.
Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urged the new members to internalise the renewed hope policy of the federal government and assured them of equal opportunities in the party.
“It gladdens my heart to see this day. I am pleased that good governance is in place in Kogi State. This is a new chapter in the life of APC in Kogi state and entire Nigeria.
‘I am particularly delighted to receive an elder statesman, Capt Wada. We are the confluence of progressives together. What is happening in APC is more of a coalition of who’s who in Kogi state and Nigeria.
“You have joined the family that brings peace and progress to the people of Nigeria. And you will not regret coming into the progressive.
In his acceptance remarks on behalf of all the defectors, Wada said it was a pleasure to finally join the progressive family.
“There are so many reasons why I joined APC. One, the party is a progressive one. Secondly, Tinubu himself has a very good vision for the country. The president did right by removing the oil subsidy. Since then, we have seen a drop in the price of foodstuffs daily.
“The naira has been appreciating against the dollar. The economy has generally picked up, and the president has taken the country out of distress. The dividends of democracy by Mr President are numerous, but with these few reasons, we are taking the bold step to cross over to the APC today.
“We have to unite with Mr President to ensure his victory in 2027,” Wada said.
In his welcome remarks, the state Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, assured VP Shettima that President Tinubu does not need to come to Kogi state for any political campaign for his second term as “his victory is already guaranteed”.
The state governor, Ahmed Ododo, introduced the new members, describing them as good grassroots leaders who will contribute positively to the growth of the party. He also acknowledged the love of President Tinubu for the development of the state.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is my father, and I am proud to be his son. He is a true leader who has consistently shown me how to be a good leader.
“He is a committed Democrat, and I am sure Nigeria will be great again under his leadership,” Ododo said.
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