The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, led a group of APC stakeholders in Lokoja to formally welcome Chief Sam Ranti Abenemi—a former Lokoja Local Government Chairman, former State Commissioner, and former PDP Vice Chairman—into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During the reception, the Speaker described Chief Abenemi, who was also the SDP governorship candidate in the last Kogi election, as a “big fish” whose experience and influence will add significant value to the party. He noted that he had personally learned politics under Abenemi and is fully aware of his strength in both grassroots mobilization and mainstream political strategy.

Chief Abenemi explained that his decision to leave the SDP and join the APC was motivated by the positive leadership style he has observed in Kogi State, particularly the humility and governance approach of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Speaker. He assured existing party members that he was not joining the APC to compete for positions, but to contribute meaningfully to the party’s growth.

Additionally, the entire SDP structure in Oworo Ward, including its leaders and organizational base, has now been absorbed into the APC.

The meeting was attended by several notable figures, including Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, member representing Lokoja I Constituency; the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Farouk Ymd; the Lokoja APC Chairman, Hon. Bature Maikudi; former Speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulrahman Dangana; Ward Chairmen; and other key party stakeholders in Lokoja Local Government.