The Afemai community in Lokoja has endorsed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to mobilise 50,000 votes in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The endorsement was announced on Sunday by the Onogie of Afemai in Lokoja, HRH Alhaji Zakaria Dangana, during the second edition of the community’s annual end-of-year celebration held in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Chief Dangana said the Afemai people had resolved to support Governor Ododo in recognition of his inclusive governance and pragmatic policies towards non-indigenes, from which the community has benefited significantly.
He noted that the Afemai, also known as the Etsako people of Edo State, with six local government areas, have lived in Kogi State for over a century and have contributed to its socio-economic development.
Describing the Afemai as peace-loving and industrious, Dangana said the community had consistently undertaken projects that positively impact host communities.
He appealed to the state government to recognise, grade and gazette his traditional stool in line with other ethnic nationalities in Kogi State.
The traditional ruler also called for increased civil service employment, political appointments and empowerment opportunities for qualified Afemai indigenes, stressing that members of the community have demonstrated integrity, competence and commitment to the development of the state.
Responding on behalf of the governor, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engineer Yahaya Farouk, assured the community that their requests would be considered.
He advised the Afemai people to organise themselves into strong associations to effectively engage relevant government platforms.
Farouk acknowledged the critical role the Afemai community has played in the growth and development of Lokoja and Kogi State, noting that Afemai sons and daughters have been active participants in national political activities in the state since the Second Republic.
Governor Ododo, in a message delivered through the commissioner, urged the community to remain politically active to enable them benefit fully from the dividends of democracy.
Also speaking, the Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Alhaji Gambo Maikarfi V, praised the Afemai community for their developmental contributions, saying the growth of areas such as Adankolo and Lokongoma would be incomplete without the involvement of Etsako people.
In a related remark, the Kogi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Sani Gambo, commended Governor Ododo’s stance against banditry and kidnapping, noting that security remains a collective responsibility regardless of political affiliation.
Gambo pledged to mobilise PDP members to support government security initiatives and programmes that directly impact the people, while also commending the organisers of the end-of-year celebration.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Afemai Progressive Union, Abu Michael, said the gathering was aimed at reflection and repositioning the Afemai people for socio-economic development ahead of the 2027 elections.
He called on the state government to support Afemai indigenes through employment, appointments and empowerment programmes, stressing that the community, having resided in Lokoja for over a century, should be regarded as indigenes contributing to the state’s development.