Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, on Wednesday inaugurated a 17-member All Progressives Congress (APC) Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee to reconcile aggrieved party members and consolidate the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The committee, chaired by former governor Capt. Idris Wada (rtd), was formally inaugurated at the Government House, Lokoja.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Ododo described the panel’s assignment as historic, emphasizing that internal unity remains critical to the APC’s performance in the state.
“I am a man of peace. I am a man of consultation and engagement. I have never believed in violence as a means of resolving political differences,” Ododo said.
“I believe that where there is disagreement, there must always be room for dialogue, understanding and reconciliation. We are members of the same family. Whatever differences we have had must give way to the greater interest of the party and the state. The timing of this assignment is also important. We are preparing for the 2027 elections.”
The governor urged the panel to engage aggrieved stakeholders, recall inactive founding members, and develop mechanisms to sustain party harmony.
Ododo also linked the state’s political stability to its alignment with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, citing key approvals such as the Kogi International Airport and the Ajaokuta Economic City.
“We cannot afford to fail a President who has given so much attention and support to Kogi State. We must, therefore, continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda. I believe he is the best person to take Nigeria forward, and Kogi State must remain firmly behind him,” he added.
The committee was given a three-week mandate to complete its task. Its terms of reference include delivering a statewide grievance map, a register of unresolved internal disputes with proposed solutions, and a framework for reintegrating returning and incoming members.
In his response, the Committee Chairman, Capt. Idris Wada, assured the governor of the panel’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.
“The committee will hit the ground running. We will work diligently to reconcile aggrieved members and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections,” Wada stated.
Also speaking, the second vice chairman of the committee and former deputy governor, Chief Edward Onoja, stated that the panel would adhere strictly to its terms of reference to ensure lasting reconciliation.
The committee comprises:
Capt. Idris Wada (rtd) – Chairman
Yomi Awoniyi – First Vice Chairman
Chief Edward Onoja – Second Vice Chairman
Mohammed Asuku – Third Vice Chairman
Chief Dr. Sani Teidi – Member
Hajiya Ramatu Tijani Aliyu – Member
Hajiya Salamatu Baiwa Umar-Eluma – Member
Dan Okolo – Member
Kolawole Mathew – Member
Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Gamji – Member
Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Amodu – Member
Alhaji Ado Shuaibu – Member
Abdulkareem Salihu – Member
Hajiya Ramatu Shehu Atta – Member
ASP Aurelus Adejoh Yusuf – Member
Bode Ogunmola – Member
Mohammed Suleiman – Secretary
