The APC Youth Vanguard, Kogi East, has rejected an endorsement of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for a second term, even as it declared full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
In a rejoinder issued on Wednesday, the group dismissed a statement by a faction claiming to be “APC Kogi East Stakeholders” endorsing both the President and the governor.
“We state categorically that this group does not speak for Kogi East. They are a gathering of nomadic politicians who move from one gathering to another in search of personal gain,” the Vanguard said.
“They lack the mandate, credibility and moral right to speak on behalf of the people of Kogi East. Their so-called endorsement was done in the comfort of hotel rooms without consulting the masses who are feeling the pains of bad governance.”
The group insisted that “Kogi East people are not for sale” and that the people are “not hungry for endorsement. We are hungry for development.”
It challenged the Ododo administration to point to achievements in the zone, asking: “What has the Ododo administration achieved in Kogi East? Apart from intimidation, arrest and harassment of our people and the appointment of SAs and SSAs without offices or impact, we challenge this group to point to one single landmark project of this government in our zone.”
“Our roads remain bad, our youths are jobless and our markets are struggling. Yet some individuals are ready to mortgage our future for crumbs,” the statement added.
On the presidency, the Vanguard said its position was firm.
“Our position on the Presidency is firm. We fully endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. The President has remembered Kogi East by appointing our sons and daughters into his administration and we will reciprocate that gesture in 2027,” it said.
The group, however, drew a line between support for the President and the governor.
“Supporting Mr. President does not mean we must support failure at the state level. Therefore, while we endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2027, we reject and distance ourselves from any endorsement of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo,” it stated.
“Kogi East deserves a governor with visible achievements, not one whose record is only intimidation and empty titles. Kogi East is united in demanding performance and accountability. We reject stomach politics and we will not allow a few self-serving individuals to speak for us. Let those with achievements come and campaign. Kogi East deserves better.”
The statement was signed by the Media Directorate of APC Youth Vanguard, Kogi East.