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More than 100 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Onicha-Igo, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The defectors pledged their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The new members were received at an event attended by prominent APC stakeholders from Igala-Ogba East, led by Engineer Friday Michael (MON), alongside representatives of the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo.
Speaking at the gathering, Michael, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Good Shepherd Hospital, described the mass defection as a sign of growing confidence in the APC and expressed optimism that the party would secure a decisive victory in the 2027 elections.
He attributed the decision of the defectors to join the ruling party to what he described as the developmental achievements of the Tinubu and Ododo administrations.
According to him, the new members believe that returning both leaders to office would provide an opportunity for further development across different sectors.
“Those members of the opposition parties defecting to the APC today have seen the light in our party. They can see the good work the current administrations are doing, and they are optimistic that if President Bola Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo are re-elected in 2027, they will witness more development across the board,” he said.
Michael assured the defectors that they would enjoy equal rights and opportunities within the party, irrespective of when they joined.
He said the APC’s priority was to consolidate its support base and ensure the continuation of the administrations’ development programmes in Kogi State and across Nigeria.
The APC stakeholder also commended Governor Ododo’s performance in infrastructure, healthcare, education and civil service welfare. He maintained that discussions on power rotation could be considered after the governor completes a second term in 2031.
Michael urged residents and eligible voters to remain committed to the party, arguing that continuity in leadership was necessary to sustain development and improve the welfare of the people.
He added that his political engagements were aimed at strengthening the relationship between the government and grassroots communities, noting that collaboration among political leaders, community stakeholders and residents would help bring government programmes closer to the people.
Representing the Deputy Governor, his Director of Protocol, Daniel Abutu, emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation and sustained community engagement in building support for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Abutu said effective mobilisation and constructive engagement were critical to strengthening the party’s structures, boosting public confidence and ensuring that communities benefited from the dividends of democracy.
The event also featured renewed calls for support for the APC’s Kogi East senatorial candidate, Joe Erico, and other party candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.
Participants called for greater unity, political participation and sustained grassroots mobilisation to strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
The gathering highlighted the efforts of APC stakeholders to integrate new members, expand the party’s grassroots structures and consolidate its political support across Igala-Ogba East and other parts of Kogi State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
