Thousands of supporters on Saturday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, as party stakeholders also reaffirmed their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the member representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, ahead of the next general elections.
The defectors were formally received into the APC during a grand reception held at Upaja/Ichuwa Ward, in what party leaders described as a major boost to the ruling party’s grassroots strength in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the new members, the defectors said they were attracted to the APC by what they described as the development-oriented policies of the party, particularly the infrastructural projects of Governor Ododo across Ajaokuta, the constituency interventions of Rt. Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem and the party’s progressive leadership.
Receiving the new entrants, Abdulraheem described their decision as a vote of confidence in the APC-led administrations at both the state and federal levels, assuring them of equal opportunities and full integration into the party.
The federal lawmaker highlighted projects attracted to Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, including rural electrification, installation of solar streetlights, provision of boreholes, educational support, youth and women empowerment programmes, healthcare interventions, agricultural support schemes and other constituency projects aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
He also commended Governor Ododo for sustaining infrastructure development across Kogi State through road construction, improved healthcare delivery, agricultural development, youth empowerment and investments aimed at stimulating economic growth and job creation.
Meanwhile, APC leaders, stakeholders, women and youth groups, alongside party supporters, also converged on Patesi/Abodu Ward for a political rally where they renewed their commitment to the party.
Addressing the gathering, Abdulraheem urged members to remain united and mobilise support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Governor Ododo’s administration and the aspiration of former governor Yahaya Bello to represent Kogi Central Senatorial District in the Senate.
The rally also endorsed Abdulraheem for another term in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aliyu Mustapha for the Kogi State House of Assembly and Hon. Haruna Muhammed for chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
The lawmaker called on party members to sustain the APC’s grassroots mobilisation, maintain peaceful campaigns and remain loyal to the party, expressing confidence that the achievements of the Tinubu administration, Governor Ododo’s development programmes and the political structure built by former governor Yahaya Bello would strengthen the party’s electoral prospects.
The event ended with renewed pledges of unity and loyalty by party members and supporters.
