Idah Rep Race: Hon. Mark Ogah Seeks Fair APC Primary, Expresses Confidence in Gov Ododo »

An aspirant for the House of Representatives seat in Idah Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogah Mark Okpanachi, has called for a free, fair, and transparent primary election ahead of the party’s scheduled exercise on May 15, 2026.

Speaking during a press briefing in Idah on Thursday, Okpanachi said he had fulfilled all constitutional and party requirements to contest in the APC primary and remained fully prepared for the democratic exercise.

The APC aspirant emphasized that the contest should be decided by the free will of delegates and party faithful rather than through imposition or political manipulation, stressing that democracy thrives when the people are allowed to choose leaders based on competence, accessibility, grassroots acceptance, and capacity to deliver effective representation.

He appealed to the leadership of the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants participating in the exercise.

According to him, a transparent and credible process would not only strengthen internal democracy within the APC but also boost the confidence of party members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Okpanachi, who is also the Director of the City Boy Movement (CBM), Kogi State Chapter, expressed confidence in the leadership of Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, describing him as a leader committed to fairness, justice, and democratic principles.

He urged the governor to sustain those ideals by ensuring that delegates in Idah Federal Constituency were allowed to freely choose the candidate they considered most credible and capable of representing the party.

“I respectfully appeal to Governor Ododo to continue to uphold fairness, justice, and internal democracy. The people of Idah Federal Constituency are yearning for credible leadership and quality representation”, he noted.

The aspirant noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda had consistently promoted inclusion, fairness, and internal party democracy, adding that the APC primary should reflect those values.

He further lamented what he described as years of poor representation and developmental setbacks in Idah Federal Constituency, saying the people deserved vibrant leadership capable of attracting development opportunities, empowering youths and women, and strengthening the constituency’s voice at the national level.

Okpanachi also expressed confidence in his grassroots support across the constituency, noting that his political structure and relationship with party faithful positioned him strongly ahead of the primary election.

“As the Director of the City Boy Movement in Kogi State, with structures across the 21 local government areas, I remain confident in my popularity, grassroots acceptance, and relationship with the people,” he stated.

He maintained that true leadership should be earned through service, trust, and acceptance by the people rather than through backdoor political arrangements.

While expressing optimism about victory, the APC aspirant urged his supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and orderly throughout the exercise, insisting that violence had no place in democracy.

“I am ready. I am prepared. I am qualified. Most importantly, I am committed to giving the people of Idah Federal Constituency the quality representation they truly deserve,” he said.