Kogi Deputy Governor Leads from the Front, Reuniting APC in the East »

By Comr. Peter Ugbedeojo Nelson, PhD.

In a commendable demonstration of political maturity and visionary leadership, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Elder Joel Oyibo, has taken a proactive step towards healing divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East. His efforts aim at reuniting members and repositioning the party for greater strength and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Eastern Senatorial Zone of Kogi State, which has historically contributed significantly to the electoral successes of the APC since 2015, recorded a surprisingly underwhelming performance in the last governorship election. This decline was not a result of weak political structures or voter apathy but stemmed largely from feelings of marginalization. Many party stakeholders in the zone felt the region deserved the governorship slot and not the deputy position, leading to agitations, internal friction, and a subsequent loss of cohesion within the party.

Acknowledging the adverse impact of this disunity, the Deputy Governor, despite being a subject of political sabotage by some actors within the region, chose the path of reconciliation over bitterness. Determined to restore the APC’s dominance, he convened a high-powered stakeholders’ meeting in the Eastern zone.

The meeting brought together a wide array of party heavyweights, including members of the National Assembly, State Assembly representatives, commissioners, local government chairmen, senior government officials, and other notable APC leaders from the zone. The focus of the meeting was clear: to deliberate on the issues that had caused disaffection, to build bridges among previously divided members, and to realign strategies for a stronger and more united party front.

In his address, the Deputy Governor emphasized that personal sacrifices must be made in the interest of party unity and the overall development of the state. He called on all stakeholders to set aside differences, forgive past grievances, and recommit to the shared ideals of the APC.

Stakeholders also applauded the Deputy Governor for his courage, humility, and inclusive approach in driving the reconciliation process despite previous betrayals. His actions have been described as a true testament to statesmanship and the kind of leadership needed to steer the party toward electoral victory in the future.

With this renewed commitment of the deputy governor and the spirit of unity now rekindled, political observers believe that the APC in Kogi East is well on the path to recovery and will likely emerge even stronger ahead of upcoming elections.