Leaders under the Kogi West APC Leaders Forum on Thursday visited the Ohimege Igu of Koton Karfe, Alhaji Saidu Akawu Salihu, seeking his support for unity in the senatorial district.
The Forum’s Chairman, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), who led the delegation to the monarch’s palace, said unity remained critical for the district’s progress.
Omodara, who doubles as the state’s Security Adviser, said the Forum comprised credible leaders drawn from the seven local government areas making up Kogi West, all committed to quality leadership and resisting attempts to divide the people.
He described the visit as part of efforts to tap into the traditional ruler’s wisdom, noting that Koton Karfe held a significant place in the history of both the senatorial district and Kogi State.
Omodara said politics should serve as a tool for peace and development rather than division, urging residents to identify candidates who would deliver the dividends of democracy. He added that the Forum would extend similar visits to other local government chairmen and traditional councils to build a formidable political team.
Addressing aspirants who contested the party’s recent primary, he appealed for calm and pledged the Forum’s alignment with the party’s decision, even as affected aspirants pursue legal redress.
He said the group would mobilise support for APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that its interest was solely the welfare of Kogi West people. He credited the Tinubu administration with delivering a free trade zone, the Kogi International Airport, and key federal appointments for the district’s sons and daughters.
Omodara said the Forum was working with stakeholders to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election alongside that of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, arguing that Kogi West’s chances of producing a Senate President would improve if Ododo returned for a second term. He commended the monarch for supporting security efforts along the Koton Karfe–Abaji road.
Also speaking, former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Alfa Imam, said the leaders had united in the interest of the district.
Hon. Funsho Olumoko, Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, thanked the monarch for his consistent support for peace and development initiatives, adding that Governor Ododo deserved re-election in 2027.
Responding, the Ohimege Igu described the visit as timely, calling for genuine unity across the district to achieve shared goals. He expressed confidence in Omodara’s leadership, describing him as humble and capable of uniting Kogi West for the task ahead, and said a power shift to the West was achievable with sincere cooperation from the Central and East senatorial districts.
He also commended the Tinubu administration and the state governor for prioritising security in Koton Karfe, assuring that residents would reciprocate the government’s support at the appropriate time.
