Kogi East APC Demands Governorship Slot After Audu's Passing

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi East Senatorial District have renewed their call for the governorship to return to their area. They believe it is time to change the political landscape a decade after the death of former Governor Prince Abubakar Audu.

This demand was the main point in a communiqué released after a strategic leadership conference held in Abuja on Thursday. Party leaders stated that Kogi East needs to work with other senatorial districts for a peaceful and fair power-sharing plan before the 2027 elections.

The communiqué was signed by 26 key APC leaders from the district. This includes Conference Chairman Maj. Gen. Patrick Akpa (retd), Isaac Onu, Ismaila Hussani, Emmanuel Egwu, Salamatu Umar-Eluma, AIG Abutu Iyaro (retd), Abdulahi Haruna (SAN), and Prof. Aliyu Idris.

In his speech, Akpa emphasized that Kogi East will not accept being seen as “an appendage of any political bloc” in the state anymore. He pointed out that Audu's death shortly after the 2015 governorship election caused political divisions that have lasted over a decade. Akpa believes it is time to heal and build alliances to regain political power for Kogi East.

The communiqué stated, “We acknowledge, with courage, that the lack of proper internal political realignment in Kogi State following the historic 2015 election and the sudden, painful passing of our revered leader, Prince Abubakar Audu, is a matter that must finally be resolved after more than ten years.”

While they push for the governorship to return to Kogi East, the stakeholders also promised full support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and Governor Ahmed Ododo’s bid for a second term. They see winning the 2027 presidential, National Assembly, state assembly, and governorship elections as the party's main focus.

According to them, Kogi East provided the largest bloc vote for Tinubu among the three senatorial districts during the 2023 presidential election and is ready to do even better in the next elections. They also called for a new plan for political power rotation in Kogi State.

The leaders urged Kogi Central, Kogi West, and Kogi East to talk and negotiate a fair arrangement that would ensure fairness, stability, and development. “We call for an immediate shift toward building consensus, renegotiating power transfer and rotation, and establishing an inclusive, development-driven agenda that guarantees equitable access to the instruments of power.”

Akpa stated, “Kogi East will never be an appendage of any other nationality or political bloc. We stand as a major block, prepared to seize all opportunities this time around for our people.”

The stakeholders also asked for reconciliation among members of the late Audu’s political family. They stated that internal divisions have weakened the district's influence in state politics since his passing.

They agreed to mobilize APC structures across the nine local government areas of Kogi East for Tinubu’s re-election. They will also support the establishment of the Prince Abubakar Audu Leadership Foundation and advocate for a national honor for the late former governor for his contributions to Kogi State and Nigeria.

Audu, who was seen as one of the founding political figures of Kogi State, died on November 22, 2015. His death occurred while the governorship election process was still ongoing after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the poll inconclusive.

His passing led to a political transition that eventually brought Yahaya Bello into power.