Stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibaji Local Government Area, Hon. Ogah Mark Okpanachi, has publicly condemned what he described as a “shameful and divisive” meeting allegedly convened by some party figures in the area to block the return of former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Rt. Hon. Simon Achuba, to the ruling party.
In a strongly worded press statement issued in Lokoja, Hon. Okpanachi, who hails from Iyano Ward in Ibaji LGA, dissociated himself from the said meeting purportedly organized by the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba; the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojoma; and Barr. Simeon Akoje, who allegedly paraded himself as the leader of Iyano Ward.
According to reports, participants at the meeting signed a document opposing the re-admittance of former Deputy Governor Achuba into the APC.
Hon. Okpanachi described the action as an “anti-party conspiracy” and a direct affront to the inclusive vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which, he said, promotes unity, reconciliation, and inclusiveness within the party.
“As a committed stakeholder of the APC in Iyano Ward and Ibaji LGA, I totally disassociate myself from this shameful and divisive act,” he said. “The so-called meeting was not sanctioned by the genuine leaders and stakeholders of Iyano Ward and, therefore, does not represent the collective will of our members or the broader APC family in Ibaji.”
He further emphasized that the APC was never created as a private club for a select few individuals nursing personal grievances, but rather as a national movement for all progressives committed to building a stronger and more united Nigeria.
“The attempt to block Rt. Hon. Simon Achuba’s return is self-serving, anti-party, and destructive to the progress we have collectively built in Ibaji,” he continued. “The actions of these few actors are clearly motivated by selfish interest and an evil plan to divide and weaken the party at the grassroots level.”
Hon. Okpanachi urged Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the leader of the APC in Kogi State, to urgently call the concerned individuals to order, cautioning that such divisive tendencies could undermine the unity and growth of the party in Ibaji and across the state.
He also extended an olive branch to all Igala sons and daughters within and outside Kogi State, encouraging them to join or rejoin the APC without fear or intimidation.
“Our doors remain open to all who believe in the Renewed Hope vision of President Tinubu and the leadership of Governor Ododo. Let us work together as one united family to strengthen our great party, promote peace, and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he added.
The statement has since sparked discussion across party circles in Kogi East, with many grassroots members applauding Hon. Okpanachi’s bold stand against what they termed “political exclusion and arrogance.”
