Kogi 2023: Massive defection hits PDP in Igalamela, as ex-federal lawmaker, Inah, women leaders, supporters dump party for APC

Hon. Ismail Inah Hussein, also known as Soul Lover, a former member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State's Idah Federal Constituency, switched from the People's Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress together with a large number of supporters.

The Kogi State Party Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, dressed and decked Soul Lover with APC robes on Friday in Ajaka, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area, as an indication that he had fully erected his tent with the ruling party.

Inah, a devoted supporter of the Kogi State government's PDP, said he joined the APC because he wanted to help the state and the nation as a whole flourish.

He claimed that the APC government, led by Governor Yahaya Bello, had established unity, security, and overall state development, which was why he decided to support Alhaji Usman Ododo for consolidation as the party's nominee for governor.

The influential political figure in Kogi East made a commitment to mobilize a sizable support base for his new party and ensure that the APC wins the November 11 governorship race by a landslide during his speech during his admittance into the party, which was seen by a sizable crowd.

Along with the women leaders of the wards in the area, the former PDP women's leader in the Igalamela LGA also defected.

In his speech, Baron Okwoli, the Kogi State commissioner for transportation, praised Inah and his supporters for their decision to join the APC and promised that they would work together to secure the party's victory.

In a similar vein, Joel Oyibo, a candidate for the deputy governorship, expressed his admiration for the large turnout at the ceremony honoring the former congressman. He observed that despite the opposing parties' propaganda, the attendance showed that people had a great belief in the APC.

The governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, will build on the unity, security, and infrastructure development initiatives put in place by Governor Yahaya Bello, he informed the people of Igalamela-Odolu and the entire state.

The state party chairman welcomed the former lawmaker and his supporters, and expressed the confidence that the APC would win, landslide, in the forthcoming election.

He assured of victory for APC in Igalamela-Odolu and urged the new members to remain steadfast and committed to party functions with a promise of equal opportunities alongside existing party members.

Dignitaries present at the event included former State Chairman of APC, Hadi Ametuo; Deputy Governorship Candidate, Joel Oyibo; Zonal Chairman of APC, Muhammed Alfa; member representing Idah Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, David Zacharias; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Abubakar Ainoko, among others.