More than 100 members of opposition parties in Kogi State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in 2027.
The defectors, drawn from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), announced their decision at an event in Onicha-Igo, Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
Receiving the new members, prominent APC stakeholders from Igala-Ogba East, led by Engineer Friday Michael (MON), alongside representatives of the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, attributed the development to the achievements of the Tinubu and Ododo administrations.
Michael, Chief Executive Officer of Good Shepherd Hospital, described the turnout as a sign of growing support for the ruling party, expressing confidence that the APC would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
He said the defectors had decided to join the APC because of what he described as the developmental strides of the current administrations.
“Those members of the opposition parties defecting to the APC today have seen the light in our party. They can see the good work the current administrations are doing, and they are optimistic that if President Bola Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo are re-elected in 2027, they will witness more development across the board,” he said.
Welcoming the new members, Michael assured them that they would enjoy equal treatment within the party, regardless of when they joined.
“As we welcome them into the APC family, they should be assured that they will receive equal treatment like other members. Our common goal is to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo so they can sustain their development agenda for the people of Kogi State and Nigeria at large,” he added.
The APC chieftain commended Ododo’s administration for its performance in infrastructure, healthcare, education and civil service welfare.
He also maintained that discussions about power rotation could be considered after the governor completes a possible second term in 2031.
Michael urged residents and eligible voters to remain committed to the APC, arguing that continuity in leadership was necessary to sustain development and improve the welfare of the people.
He explained that his political engagement was driven by a desire to strengthen the relationship between government and grassroots communities.
According to him, cooperation among political leaders, community stakeholders and residents would help bring government programmes closer to the people.
Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Governor, his Director of Protocol, Daniel Abutu, stressed the importance of grassroots mobilisation and sustained engagement in securing electoral support for the APC in 2027.
Abutu said effective mobilisation and constructive engagement were essential to building public confidence, strengthening party structures and ensuring that communities benefited from democratic governance.
The gathering also featured calls for support for the APC’s Kogi East senatorial candidate, Joe Erico, and other party candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Participants emphasised the need for unity, political participation and sustained grassroots engagement to advance the party’s interests.
The defection event highlighted efforts by APC stakeholders to strengthen the party’s structures, integrate new members and consolidate its support base across Igala-Ogba East and other parts of Kogi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
