Stakeholders resolve to back Apa candidates ahead of 2027 polls

Stakeholders from Apa Local Government Area have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that only candidates of Apa origin secure key legislative seats in the 2027 general elections. This resolution formed the core outcome of the Apa Youths Arise Summit held on November 22, 2027, at the Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development in Abuja.

The summit, which took place at the Pauline Tallen Banquet Hall, brought together prominent political figures, including former Benue State government officials, aspirants from various political parties such as APC and ADC, representatives of USAID, and community leaders drawn from Apa and beyond.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, participants emphasized the need for strategic unity to reposition Apa for effective representation in the National Assembly. They stressed that the 2027 elections present a crucial transition for the local government area, particularly in securing seats at the House of Representatives and Senate levels.

Among the key resolutions adopted was a collective vow by elders and traditional rulers to throw full support behind aspirants from Apa, regardless of political party affiliations, once primary elections are concluded. The stakeholders described this stance as a necessary step to uplift the community’s political relevance.

The communiqué also announced the launch of a mass voter registration campaign, urging Apa sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to mobilize eligible voters in preparation for the elections. Participants further agreed to pool resources under a shared political mission widely referred to as the Apa Agenda.

Stakeholders strongly warned against aligning with candidates outside Apa, noting that such actions would undermine the community’s political aspirations. Youths were tasked to drive grassroots participation through aggressive ward-to-ward engagement and online advocacy.

Political parties were urged to prioritize qualified Apa candidates in ticket allocation, with the communiqué warning that any party that sidelines the area risks losing wider electoral support in future contests.

The summit further referenced the impending completion of Agatu’s twenty-year run in the National Assembly, calling on the Ochi’Idoma—His Royal Majesty—to support a smooth power shift to Apa as a mark of fairness within the larger Idoma nation.

The organisers applauded youths who traveled from across Nigeria—including Lagos, Kaduna, Minna, Kogi, Lafia, Benue, and Abuja—to attend the gathering, describing their commitment as inspiring and essential to sustaining momentum.

Convener of the summit, Comrade Paul Edoh Jr, and the organising secretary, Mr. Inalegwu Ogiri, encouraged attendees to prepare for a larger summit scheduled to take place in Ugbokpo, Apa’s administrative headquarters, pending approval from the local government chairman.

They expressed confidence that with unity, mobilization, and determination, Apa is on course to reclaim its place in national leadership and secure a prosperous future for its people.