In a major display of political unity and strategic preparation ahead of the 2027 general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign train in Kogi State has embarked on an extensive thank-you and victory mobilisation tour across the three Federal Constituencies comprising the Kogi East Senatorial District.
The movement, organized in honour of the APC Kogi East Senatorial Candidate, Dr. Joseph Ameh Erico, traversed strategic political hubs before culminating in a grand homecoming reception at Erico’s hometown of Etutekpe, Okpo, in Olamaboro Local Government Area.
Led by the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, the high-powered delegation included the party’s three House of Representatives candidates in Kogi East: Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims (Ankpa Federal Constituency), Hon. Paul Gowon Haruna, popularly known as IJN (Dekina Federal Constituency), and Hon. Victor Uchola (Idah Federal Constituency). The tour also featured serving members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, state commissioners, local government council chairmen, government appointees, party chieftains, and thousands of enthusiastic party supporters.
The multi-town tour commenced at Idah, where the delegation paid a royal homage to the Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty Dr. Alaji Mathew Opaluwa Ogwuche Akpa, CFR, to receive royal blessings. The campaign trail then proceeded to Ejule, paying a courtesy visit to the hometown of the Deputy Governor, before making stops at Anyigba—the administrative headquarters of the APC Zonal Secretariat—and Ankpa.
The consultative outreach provided Chief Erico an avenue to personally extend appreciation to party leaders, delegates, and grassroots supporters following his successful emergence in the party’s senatorial primary, while simultaneously solidifying the party’s structure across the nine local government areas in the district.
Addressing the grand reception in Etutekpe, Okpo, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo—who was represented by Deputy Governor Joel Salifu—congratulated Erico on his candidate status and declared that the party stands fully united. Governor Ododo stated that the official uploading of candidates’ names by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly laid to rest any lingering doubts regarding the APC senatorial candidate for Kogi East. Emphasizing that the outcome was a win-win for the entire party structure with “no victor and no vanquished,” the Governor formally presented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Erico, and the three House of Representatives candidates to the electorate, charging party faithful to close ranks and work collectively for total victory in 2027.
In his remarks, Chief Joseph Ameh Erico expressed profound gratitude to the leadership and people of Kogi East for the mandate reposed in him. Describing his candidacy as a collective movement for the people, Erico pledged to deliver responsive, accessible, and effective representation at the National Assembly if elected. He assured the gathering that he would never betray the public trust, promising to advocate aggressively for the development and overall wellbeing of Kogi East.
Erico further acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, and Deputy Governor Joel Salifu, while urging APC members across all wards and polling units to maintain momentum and take the party’s message directly to the grassroots.
Echoing similar sentiments, the APC candidate for the Ankpa-Omala-Olamaboro Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims, noted that the gathering represented a shared investment in the political future of the district. Expressing strong optimism, Halims urged party loyalists to view the upcoming elections as a unified campaign to secure lasting progress, expressing confidence that a solid alignment within party ranks will guarantee an overwhelming victory for the APC across Kogi East and the entire state.
