A group, Kogi APC Renaissance Forum, has issued a strongly worded rejection of the appointment of Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King as Coordinator and Renewed Hope Ambassador for Kogi State, alleging ethnic favoritism, lack of competence, and a development they say could jeopardize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 electoral chances in the state.
In a detailed statement signed by the spokesperson, Adejo Emmanuel, the Executive Committee and members of the Forum made the rejection while extending formal courtesies to the Renewed Hope National Ambassador and Director-General of Party Outreach, Engagement and Mobilization, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, as well as the North Central Zonal Coordinator, Senator Tanko Al-Makura.
The group clarified that its objection is not targeted at any individual or ethnic group but is driven by the need to correct what it described as a “critical error” in the appointment process of the Coordinator and Renewed Hope Ambassador for the State.
According to the Forum, failing to reverse the appointment would negatively affect the Renewed Hope Ambassador’s Program, which is designed to strengthen grassroots mobilization in support of President Tinubu’s national renewal agenda.
The Forum declared that it rejects the appointment of Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King “in its entirety,” citing reasons such as alleged lack of capacity, inadequate political exposure, absence of broad stakeholder consultation, and what it described as ethnic bigotry and nepotism.
It asserted that King’s nomination was made solely by Governor Usman Ododo, whom the Forum accused of “singlehandedly picking his kinsman” without consulting relevant party stakeholders across the state.
The statement further accused Governor Ododo of continuing what it called the “nepotistic trajectory” of former Governor Yahaya Bello, alleging that key political and administrative positions in the state have been disproportionately concentrated in Okene Local Government, the governor’s home constituency in Kogi Central.
To reinforce its claim, the Forum listed several top government offices it says are currently occupied by individuals from Okene, including the Chief of Staff, the Accountant-General, the Chairman of the Internal Revenue Service, the SUBEB Chairman, the Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Rural Development and Power, the Commissioner for Health, the Chairman of the Pension Board, the Director-General of the Government House, and the Director-General of the Lands Commission, among others.
The group described this concentration of appointments as “worrisome” and “an abuse of privilege,” arguing that nominating yet another individual from Okene undermines fairness, equity, and inclusivity.
In one of the statement’s strongest remarks, the Forum declared that “the people of Kogi East and West are not slaves to Kogi Central,” expressing deep dissatisfaction with what it perceives as systemic marginalization.
The group supported its position with voting data from the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
“In 2019, APC received 285,894 votes in Kogi State, with Kogi East contributing 113,919—nearly 40% of the total. In 2023, Kogi East delivered 107,354 votes, Kogi West gave 78,496, while Kogi Central accounted for 55,858”
The Forum argued that Kogi East and West have consistently been the backbone of APC victory in the state and therefore deserve a fair share of strategic political appointments, especially those tied directly to the president’s mobilization structure.
The group warned that appointing an individual it regards as “lacking in capacity, political capital, and comparative advantage” could destabilize internal party dynamics and weaken APC’s grassroots strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It referenced what it described as “rumours from several quarters” suggesting that the appointment could be part of a hidden agenda aimed at reducing President Tinubu’s support base in Kogi.
On this basis, the Forum appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma and Senator Tanko Al-Makura to immediately withdraw the appointment of Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King.
It called for the selection of a more “formidable and politically savvy personality” from either Kogi East or Kogi West—someone it believes can better champion the Renewed Hope initiative in the state.
The Kogi APC Renaissance Forum concluded by reaffirming its loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reiterating its commitment to ensuring his victory in the 2027 presidential election.
It ended with prayers and goodwill messages to Governor Uzodimma, Senator Al-Makura, the APC, the people of Kogi State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
