The Kogi East All Progressive Congress (APC) stakeholders have passed a vote of confidence in Governor Ahmed Ododo.

The stakeholders stated this during a media chat with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, saying that the interface was meant to provide feedback and seek direction.

According to them, this is critical to strengthening the party’s ability to continue its hold as the ruling party in Kogi.

However, Isah Daniel, the pioneer vice-chairman of APC in Kogi, expressed concern over the depletion of party members, particularly in Kogi East, due to the opposition’s activities.

He stressed the need for a massive grassroots membership drive to swell the membership fold of the party.

Bala Zakari, a stakeholder, blamed the party’s depletion of membership on the crises following its victory in the November 16, 2023, governorship election in Kogi.

Emmanuel Ocheja said despite the party’s membership challenge, Mr Ododo had exceeded expectations.

Mr Ocheja, who represented Kogi East at the Senate between 2011 and 2015, commended the governor for contacting stakeholders across different parties to develop the state.

Another stakeholder, Patrick Akpa, lauded the governor for addressing insecurity despite sharing boundaries with 10 states.

Mr Akpa described security as simply ‘safety and freedom from danger’ and commended the governor for establishing a Forward Operational base to make residents feel safe.

He also lauded the governor for supporting the state vigilance group with operational vehicles and motorcycles. He appealed to the governor to extend the same gesture to the Kogo East Neighbourhood Watch, established at the district level as a self-help approach to tackle insecurity.

A former minister of state for labour, Stephen Ocheni, said Mr Ododo was doing very well in addressing workers’ and pensioners’ welfare and urged him to continue.

(NAN)