Erico Kogi East Homecoming Draws Ododo, APC Leaders »

The Kogi State Government and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East have rallied support for the party’s senatorial candidate, Chief Dr Joseph Ameh Erico, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The mobilisation followed Erico’s thank-you and victory tour across the three Federal Constituencies in Kogi East on Saturday, which culminated in a homecoming reception at his hometown of Etutekpe, Okpo, in Olamaboro Local Government Area.

The campaign train was led by the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, and included the APC’s three House of Representatives candidates in the district: Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims of Ankpa Federal Constituency, Hon. Paul Gowon Haruna (IJN) of Dekina Federal Constituency and Hon. Victor Uchola of Idah Federal Constituency.

Serving members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, government appointees, APC stakeholders, party leaders and supporters also participated in the tour.

The delegation began the tour in Idah, where it paid homage to the Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty Dr Alaji Mathew Opaluwa OgwucheAkpa, CFR, before proceeding to other locations across the senatorial district.

Erico also paid a courtesy visit to Ejule, the hometown of the Deputy Governor, before the delegation proceeded to Anyigba, headquarters of the APC Zonal Secretariat, and later to Ankpa.

The tour gave Erico an opportunity to thank APC leaders, stakeholders, delegates, members and supporters for their backing during the senatorial primary, while also mobilising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

At the Etutekpe homecoming reception, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by Deputy Governor Salifu Oyibo, congratulated Erico on his emergence as the APC candidate and reaffirmed the party’s determination to secure victory across Kogi East.

According to Ododo, the upload of the candidates’ names by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had settled the question of who would represent the APC as its senatorial candidate in Kogi East.

He described the outcome as a “win-win” for the party, stressing that there was “no victor, no vanquished”.

The Governor also formally presented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Erico and the three House of Representatives candidates to the people, while urging APC members and supporters to remain united and work collectively towards victory in 2027.

Erico, in his remarks, thanked the people of Kogi East for the confidence reposed in him during the senatorial primary.

He described his emergence as a victory for the people and pledged to justify the confidence placed in him by the party and electorate.

“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 said his ambition to serve in the Senate was not about him alone, but about providing effective representation and advancing the interests of the people of Kogi East.

Erico also called on APC members across the three Federal Constituencies to remain united and focused as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

He urged supporters to take the APC’s message to every ward and polling unit, saying victory would depend on unity, hard work and collective mobilisation.

The candidate also appreciated President Tinubu, Governor Ododo and Deputy Governor Salifu for their leadership and support, while urging APC stakeholders to work together towards victory in 2027.

Also speaking at the event, Halims, the APC candidate for Ankpa-Omala-Olamaboro Federal Constituency, described the gathering as a collective investment in the political future of the people.

He urged supporters to regard the election as an opportunity to secure a better future, expressing optimism that the APC would record victory across Kogi East and the state.

Halims called on party members to close ranks and intensify mobilisation for all APC candidates.

The tour ended in Etutekpe, with APC leaders and supporters reaffirming their commitment to mobilisation across the three Federal Constituencies and nine local government areas in Kogi East ahead of the 2027 polls.