Kogi West APC Leaders, Stakeholders Rally Behind Aro After Court Victory, Pledge Support for 2027
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West Senatorial District has stepped up efforts to consolidate party unity and strengthen its grassroots mobilisation following the court decision affirming Hon. Samuel Bamidele Aro as the party’s authentic candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The development was reflected in a series of engagements involving Aro, party leaders, political stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers, who welcomed his emergence and expressed their commitment to working towards the party’s success in the forthcoming general elections.
At a gathering of party leaders and stakeholders, the Kogi West APC leader, Hon. Jerry Omodara, formally welcomed Aro and congratulated him on what he described as his victory, signalling support for the candidate following the court decision.
In his response, Aro expressed appreciation to the people of Kogi West and the party stakeholders for standing by him throughout the political and legal contest. He assured them that he would not betray their confidence, pledging to justify the support he had received from the people, party leadership and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The former lawmaker said his immediate priority would be to promote unity across Kogi West and strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 elections. He also pledged to work in line with the political direction and interests of Governor Ododo, while mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Aro emphasised that the task before the party was bigger than individual political interests, noting that sustained cooperation among leaders, stakeholders and members would be essential to securing victory for the APC at all levels.
Aro promises purposeful representation
Responding to questions from journalists, the APC candidate expressed confidence in his capacity to provide effective representation at the National Assembly, citing his previous legislative experience and familiarity with the workings of the institution.
He explained that his experience as a former legislator had equipped him with an understanding of the responsibilities and demands of parliamentary representation. He also recalled that he had contested for the Kogi West Senate seat during the 2014/2015 election cycle, adding that his aspiration was not a sudden political decision.
Aro disclosed that he already had a working manifesto outlining his vision and priorities for the senatorial district. According to him, the document would be made public in due course as his campaign gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 election.
He expressed optimism that, by God’s grace, his victory at the polls would provide an opportunity to translate his plans into concrete programmes and initiatives that would benefit the people of Kogi West.
Imam, Omodara, others rally support for Aro
Former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam, congratulated Aro and expressed confidence in his political prospects, referring to him as a senator already.
Imam urged APC members and supporters across Kogi West to sustain and expand the grassroots support base enjoyed by the party, stressing that the emerging political momentum must be converted into electoral success for Aro and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that the party should now redirect its energy towards political mobilisation and campaigning rather than allowing the court dispute to remain the centre of its activities.
According to him, the priority should be to consolidate the party’s structures, reach more voters and build the necessary support for a comprehensive APC victory across the district and beyond.
The Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, also offered prayers for Aro, wishing him success and sustained victory in his political journey.
Similarly, Hon. James Fabola led songs of praise and thanksgiving to God, celebrating the development, while Hon. Shuaib Ipinmisho also expressed gratitude to God and offered prayers for Aro’s success.
Gegu visit strengthens grassroots engagement
Earlier, Aro had paid a courtesy visit to Gegu Community in Kogi Local Government Area as part of his consultations with party leaders, community stakeholders and other political interests across Kogi West.
The visit provided an opportunity for the APC candidate to appreciate party members and seek their continued cooperation and support following the court decision affirming his candidacy for the 2027 Kogi West Senatorial Election.
Aro appealed to party leaders and members to put aside differences and extend the hands of fellowship in the interest of the APC and the district. He stressed that unity and collective commitment would be critical as political activities ahead of the general elections gather momentum.
He particularly acknowledged the APC leader in Kogi Local Government Area, Hon. Bashir Gegu, for his support, steadfastness and commitment, describing the role of party leaders and grassroots stakeholders as important to building a strong and united political structure.
The candidate’s engagement in Gegu formed part of a broader effort to reconnect with party members and strengthen relationships across the senatorial district after the prolonged contest over the APC ticket.
Grassroots Mobilisation Takes Centre Stage
Following the gathering, the crowd, led by Hon. Abdulrahman Hussaini, popularly known as Gentle, proceeded to Amusement Park in Lokoja for further engagement with grassroots stakeholders and vote mobilisers from Lokoja/Koto Federal Constituency and other parts of Kogi West.
The engagement was aimed at strengthening political cooperation, consolidating existing support structures and building a common front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among the political figures and stakeholders present were Hon. Ayo Mayegun, Hon. Fancy Jimoh, Hon. Buhari Lokoja, Hon. Tade Oshaloto, Hon. Ibrahim Mohamed, Hon. Bawa Dangana, Hon. J.O. Abel-Ontop, Hon. Nda Aaron, Hon. Tajudeen Faniyi, Hon. Micah Luke and Hon. Suleiman Baba, alongside several other party leaders and supporters.
The series of engagements signals a renewed push by APC stakeholders in Kogi West to move beyond the dispute over the party’s senatorial ticket and concentrate on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
With Aro now positioned as the party’s candidate following the court decision, the immediate challenge before the APC leadership is to translate the show of solidarity into a united campaign structure capable of delivering electoral victory across the district.