Erico National Adviser as North Central SSAs Seek Support »

The Forum of Senior Special Assistants to Governors of North Central states has appointed the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Kogi East, Chief Dr Joseph Ameh Erico, as its National Adviser.

The appointment was announced during a courtesy visit by members of the forum to Erico in his office, where discussions focused on grassroots mobilisation, governance, peace, security and regional development.

Chairman of the forum, Hon. Prince Ezekiel Oruma, said the organisation was established to bridge the gap between government and citizens by supporting government policies and helping to ensure that programmes and interventions reached communities at the grassroots.

Oruma said Senior Special Assistants occupy a strategic position because of their proximity to the people and their role in communicating 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 committed to promoting peace, development and prosperity across the North Central region, while also supporting the continuity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration beyond 2027.

He also 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.

Oruma said Erico’s experience, disposition and commitment to peace and development informed the decision to appoint him as National Adviser.

“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 Erico’s partnership in efforts aimed at promoting peace, security and development across the North Central region.

Oruma further appealed to people in Kogi East to support Erico’s senatorial ambition, arguing that his experience would be valuable to representation and lawmaking at the National Assembly.

Erico, in his response, expressed appreciation for the appointment and thanked members of the forum for the confidence reposed in him.

He described the North Central region as “the heartbeat of the nation” and commended the Senior Special Assistants for their grassroots engagement and role in connecting government with 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 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.

Erico pledged to work with the forum and other stakeholders on issues relating to peace, security and development in Kogi State and the wider North Central region.
Erico is listed as the APC candidate for Kogi East in published lists of candidates for the 2027 senatorial election.

The appointment comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue across Kogi East and the wider North Central region.