The Kogi All Progressives Congress (APC) got a boost to its build-up for the state governorship election following the defection of Ismail Inah, a former federal lawmaker, into the party from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday.

A statement in Lokoja on Saturday by APC Campaign Council Spokesperson, Kingsley Fanwo, said Mr Inah and his supporters were received by Kogi APC Chairman Abdullahi Bello in Ajaka, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Inah, a former House of Representatives member who represented the Idah Federal Constituency in Kogi, was dressed and decorated with the APC’s robes by Mr Bello on Friday as a sign that he had fully pitched his tent with the party.

The defecting ex-lawmaker, popularly known as Soul Lover, attributed his defection to the desire to contribute to the development of Kogi and the country as a whole.

He said the APC-led government under Gov. Yahaya Bello had instituted unity, security, and the overall development of the state, hence his decision to support the party’s governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, for consolidation.

Impressed by his admission into the party and witnessed by a crowd, the Kogi East heavyweight political leader vowed to mobilise massively for his new party and ensure APC’s overwhelming victory in the Nov. 11 governorship election.

Welcoming Mr Inah and his supporters into the APC, the Kogi Commissioner for Transportation, Baron Okwoli, hailed him and his team for their decision to join the APC and assured them that they would work together to ensure victory for the party.

Similarly, the Deputy Governorship Candidate, Joel Oyibo, expressed joy for the high turnout of supporters that received the former lawmaker.

Mr Oyibo noted that the crowd on the occasion was a shred of clear evidence that people believed strongly in the APC in spite of propaganda from opposition parties.

He assured the people of Igalamela-Odolu and the entire state that the governorship candidate, Mr Ododo, when elected, would consolidate the unity, security, and infrastructure development instituted by Mr Bello.

The state’s party chairman, Abdullahi Bello, welcomed the former lawmaker and his supporters.

Mr Bello predicted victory for the 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.

(NAN)