By Muslimat Itopa
In a bid to strengthen internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has held a closed-door meeting with aspirants contesting for seats in the State House of Assembly and House of Representatives ahead of the party’s primaries.
The meeting, which took place on April 29th at the Government House in Lokoja, brought together over 150 aspirants from across the state, underscoring growing political participation within the party.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Ododo described the outcome as productive, noting that the engagement provided a platform for aspirants to interact, share ideas, and align on the need for unity and peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process.
He commended Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing leadership and creating an enabling environment for democracy to thrive, stressing that the administration’s policies have encouraged inclusiveness and political participation.
According to the governor, the large turnout of aspirants reflects a shift from past experiences where political processes were often marred by conflict.
“Today, we have over 150 aspirants in one hall, engaging constructively and discussing solutions for the progress of our state. This shows that democracy is taking root, and our people are ready to contribute meaningfully,” he said.
Governor Ododo emphasized that the government remains committed to uniting the people, safeguarding their interests, and ensuring that the political process is devoid of violence.
He revealed that several aspirants voluntarily stepped down from the race in the interest of unity and the overall development of the state.
He further noted that Kogi State, endowed with vast mineral resources, must harness its potential through collective efforts and responsible leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, a member representing Kabba/Bunu–Ijumu Federal Constituency, Salma Idris, described the meeting as timely and necessary.
He said the governor, as leader of the party in the state, engaged aspirants in line with provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly on the options of direct primaries or consensus in selecting candidates.
Salma Idris noted that the increasing number of aspirants vying for elective positions reflects confidence in the current administration and the growing strength of the APC in Kogi State.
He added that the governor charged all aspirants to embrace peaceful and rancour-free primaries, with a focus on strengthening the party’s chances in upcoming elections.
“Our goal is to ensure a transparent and credible process that will produce candidates capable of delivering for the people and supporting the President’s agenda,” she said.
Meanwhile, further consultations are ongoing, as Governor Ododo continues engagements with APC stakeholders from the Kogi West Senatorial District.
Similar meetings are expected to hold with Aspirants and stakeholders from the Eastern Senatorial District of the State under the platform of APC.
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