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Samuel Ogidan
Governor of Kogi State and Chairman of the Ekiti Governorship Primary Election Committee, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has described the just-concluded primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
Speaking shortly after submitting the committee’s report to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, Ododo said, “in the history of this country, it has never happened before now. But with Mr. President’s love and innovation, it is happening during his own time, during our own time — the consensus method of primary election.
“History has been made in Ekiti State and in this country, that for the first time under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC has laid this template — the consensus mode of primary election. Most of us don’t even know what it means and I’ll tell you as it is today: the issue of litigation, no crisis, no fighting, no destruction, no waste of resources.”
Ododo, who spoke glowingly of the process, noted that the Ekiti exercise had become a model for conflict-free and cost-effective political engagement.
He said: “Let me first of all appreciate God Almighty, who has made it possible for us to witness today at this very moment. I want to appreciate Mr. President, our father, our leader, the president of this great nation. I want to appreciate him for being a loving father, for being a father that is out to see to the progress of this nation.”
The governor attributed the peaceful and harmonious outcome of the Ekiti primary to the sincerity and foresight of President Tinubu, describing him as “a genuine leader who leads from the front.
“What we are witnessing today and the exercise we have gone to Ekiti State to do that we are celebrating today, being the first of its kind, it is because we have a sincere father, a sincere leader that is leading from the front sincerely.”
Ododo pledged continued loyalty to the President, assuring him of total support ahead of the 2027 general elections, adding, “we cannot thank him enough; we will continue to pray for him. And of course, I want to assure Mr. President that we, the children, we are with him, we are by him, we are praying for him and we are working and ready to carry this mantra of leadership of peace to the grassroots. With what Mr. President is doing today for us in Nigeria, he doesn’t need to stress himself. Come 2027, we will be at the forefront to drive that process.”
The Kogi governor also commended the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, for his inclusive leadership and innovative approach to party administration.
“Let me also recognise and appreciate our National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, for his leadership style, for giving everybody a level playing ground to prove themselves. He has brought innovation to our party, and of course, I know every other party will copy from him. He has laid a template, a foundation that the entire nation, all political parties, will come to emulate so that we can continue to move forward,” Ododo said.
He emphasised that the consensus model had saved the Ekiti APC from unnecessary expenses and rancour, freeing up resources for development. “Ekiti has saved a lot of resources for development, and I know the party will build on this legacy. Whether you like me or not, you cannot talk about that process without your blood, your mind streaming through the chairman and the members of the committee that ran that process,” he noted.
The governor expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the assignment, acknowledging their cooperation and patriotism.
“I want to thank Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to serve my fatherland and to deliver on this national assignment. I want to thank all my members and the NWC members for their support, all the stakeholders of Ekiti State. I want to thank them for their understanding, for the love they have for their state and this country,” Ododo said.
He reaffirmed that the consensus process had come to stay within the APC, describing it as a sustainable mechanism for unity and stability.
“It is a process that has come to stay; we are working into it. I want to appreciate all of us for standing with and by Mr. President to deliver on this mandate. Mr. President is trying his best, his programmes and policies are already yielding results. What we are celebrating today is the handiwork of Mr. President. I want to thank him most sincerely and assure him that the entire nation is with him, we are praying for him, and we will deliver for him 100%,” he concluded.
