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By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State on Monday signalled a major political resurgence, declaring its readiness to reclaim power at both the state and national levels ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rising from the maiden meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) and the State Executive Committee (SEC) held at the party’s secretariat in Lokoja, the Kogi State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Muhammed Sanni Gambo, said the party had overcome its internal challenges and was now fully repositioned to offer credible leadership to the people of the state.
Addressing journalists, Gambo said, “The Kogi PDP has bounced back. Our story is a story of resilience. Under my leadership, the PDP is back with full force to restore the lost glory of Kogi State.”
He said the party had listened to the yearnings of the people and accepted what he described as a “call for restoration,” adding that a clear blueprint for the rapid socio-economic development of the state had already been put in place.
According to him, the era of internal division within the party was over.
“Our challenges as a party are behind us. Today, our story is one of unstoppable progress. We are now repositioned to take over Lugard House and Aso Rock. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is stopping us,” he added.
According to him, one of the key resolutions of the meeting was the state of insecurity in the country and Kogi State, lamenting that citizens could no longer “sleep with two eyes closed,” while stressing that security was fundamental to development and democratic participation.
While acknowledging the efforts of the state government, the PDP chairman said more decisive actions were required, especially in Kogi West and other affected areas.
He said the PDP was ready to collaborate with government at all levels by offering concrete and actionable strategies to secure lives and property.
“There must be a secured state and nation before politics can thrive. Our party stands ready to work with government so our people can live, work and travel without fear,” Gambo noted.
On the forthcoming local government elections, the PDP chairman announced that the party would participate fully, stressing that democracy must deliver tangible benefits at the grassroots.
“The majority of our people live in rural areas. For them to enjoy the true dividends of democracy, the PDP must contest the local government elections,” he said.
He, however, expressed concern over what he described as the closure of the timetable for the submission of candidates by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), calling for an immediate extension.
“The current arrangement appears designed to exclude the PDP and is unacceptable,” he said, expressing confidence that with a level playing field, the PDP would record a decisive victory.
The chairman recalled that under previous PDP administrations, local governments experienced robust governance, with the people as the major beneficiaries.
Gambo also announced the establishment of reconciliation and other strategic committees aimed at addressing grievances and reuniting all aggrieved members of the party, assuring that the committees would engage stakeholders across the state to foster inclusivity and unity.
Reaffirming his leadership, the PDP chairman referenced the Federal High Court judgment of November 10, which validated his election as the duly elected chairman of the party in Kogi State.
“I thank God for this justice,” he said, praising the judiciary for what he described as proof that justice could prevail without godfathers or money politics.
He called on party members to rally behind the current leadership in the interest of progress, and extended an olive branch to members who had left the party or remained undecided, urging them to return and contribute to rebuilding efforts.
“Do not abandon the house you helped to build. Our priority is the development of the PDP, Kogi State and Nigeria, not personal vendettas,” he appealed.
Declaring the beginning of what he termed “a new era,” Gambo said the party was ready to put past disputes behind it and focus on the future, urging leaders and stakeholders in the party to set aside personal interests and work collectively towards reclaiming power in 2027.
“As the major opposition party with structures across Nigeria, the time to take our rightful place is now,” he said, disclosing that hundreds of members had already indicated readiness to return to the party.
He revealed plans for a massive rally to welcome returnees and new defectors from other political parties across the state.
Gambo wished Kogites a prosperous 2026 and reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to restoring dignity, security and prosperity to the people of Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
