By Stephen Adeleye

Kabba (Kogi) –The Kogi West FGYB Legacy Group, comprising stakeholders from the seven Local Government Areas of Kogi West Senatorial District, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for a second term in office.

The endorsement was made in a Communique at the end of a strategic meeting held in Kabba, Kogi State, on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

The communique was jointly signed and read by its Drafting Committee Chairman, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo; Secretary, Barr. Tanko Mohammed; and Member, Hon. Shaibu Ipinmisho on behalf of the group.

The stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, citing his bold economic reforms, efforts towards energy stability, and massive infrastructural development across the nation.

They pledged over 90 percent of the votes from Kogi West Senatorial District in future elections, in recognition of his people-oriented leadership.

The meeting commended Governor Ododo for his impactful leadership and remarkable achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, and humanitarian development.

The stakeholders particularly lauded the Governor’s strategic approach to tackling security challenges across the State, especially in Kogi West, and for fostering peace and stability in all communities.

The meeting applauded the Governor for his ongoing and completed projects across the Kogi West Senatorial District.

These include massive projects at Kogi State University, Kabba, the Model Secondary School, Okebukun, and the Township Road reconstruction projects in Mopa and Ayetoro Gbede.

The stakeholders also commended the take-off of projects at the U.K-funded College of Education (Technical), Mopa.

The stakeholders expressed deep appreciation for the Governor’s personal visit to troubled areas and his efforts in ensuring security in the Senatorial District.

They pledged over 90 percent of the votes from Kogi West Senatorial District in future elections, in recognition of his people-oriented leadership.

The group called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and citizens to support government efforts towards restoring and sustaining peace across Kogi State.

They reaffirmed their unwavering support for the administrations of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo, pledging to mobilize citizens in support of government policies.

The meeting commended security agencies for supporting Governor in ensuring security in District. Local hunters also commended for complementing security agencies in Kogi West.

The stakeholders resolved that leaders of every LGA in Kogi West should mobilize people to participate in Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), and commended the stakeholders’ turnout.

Earlier, during the meeting, the APC Chairman, Kogi State, Hon. Abdullahi Bello, said party is for progressive people with loyal leaders.

He commended former Governor Yayaya Bello raising people at the grassroots and laid a solid foundation for the incumbent Gov Ahmed Ododo to build on.

He emphasised that APC stakeholders meeting would strengthen the party in the state and the country at large.Bello urged members to be focused and united, and beware of inexperienced and self-centered politicians.

The APC Chairman commended President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerians urged party members sustain support for Tinubu and Gov. Ododo.

The meeting was attended by all Commissioners, LG Chairmen, Assembly members, Federal Lawmakers and all former and present political appointees from Kogi West, as well as former Sen. Smart Adeyemi.

Other Signatories for each of the seven LGAs are: Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly – Lokoja LGA; Cdr Jerry Omodara rtd, State Security Adviser – Kabba/Bunu; and Dr. Mrs Folashade Ayoade – Secretary to the State Government – Yagba East.

Others include: Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mopamuro LGA; Engr. Bashir Gegu, Commissioner for Solid Minerals – Kogi LGA; Engr. Olusegun Joseph, Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management – Yagba West; Dr Helen Adeniyi, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology – Ijumu LGA.End

A coalition of more than 1,000 lawyers under the umbrella of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has called on the Senate to reject the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The lawyers, in a letter dated October 10, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), alleged that Prof. Amupitan is unfit for the position due to his previous role as Lead Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court.

ALDRAP argued that such political affiliation and professional engagement present a “clear case of bias, conflict of interest, and violation of statutory codes of conduct.

The association’s administrative Secretary, Jesse Williams Amuga, who signed the letter, maintained that the Senate should not proceed with any confirmation hearing for Prof. Amupitan but should instead respond to the President’s letter of nomination by stating that the nominee “does not meet the constitutional and ethical qualifications for the office.

“The Senate must act in line with precedent, as seen in 2021 when it rejected the nomination of Lauretta Onochie over her affiliation with the APC. Prof. Amupitan’s case falls squarely within that standard of disqualification,” the letter stated.

Citing Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1991, ALDRAP maintained that Prof. Amupitan’s appointment would place him in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.

The group further referenced Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Act, 2003, which prohibits the use of prior official or professional positions to gain undue advantage.

“Having previously served as Lead Counsel to the APC, Prof. Amupitan cannot credibly discharge the duties of an INEC Chairman, who must remain impartial in elections involving the APC and other parties,” the association stated.

SENATE on Wednesday, sworn- in two newly elected lawmakers.

They are Joseph Ikpea representing Edo Central, and Emmanuel Nwachukwu, representing Anambra South senatorial district.

Ohibaba.com reports that the swearing-in, which took place during plenary, was presided over by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Ojo, administered the oaths of office and allegiance.

The development followed the recent by-elections conducted to fill two vacant seats.

One of the seats was previously occupied by Monday Okpebholo, now Governor of Edo State, and the other by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died in July 2024.

Based on this, APC now has a majority seat of 73 senators, while PDP has 28 senators, LP is reduced to 4 , SDP 1, APGA 2 and NNPP 1.