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By Correspondent in Lokoja.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Suberu Yusuf John, PhD, has formally declared his intention to contest the House of Representatives seat for Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency of Kogi State, promising people-centred leadership anchored on security, empowerment, and development.
Dr. John made the declaration at Ege Football Field in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday, delivering an emotional address to party leaders, traditional rulers, supporters, and residents. He described his ambition not as a quest for power but as a “confession” born out of deep concern for the suffering of his people.
Speaking at the well-attended event, the aspirant said his decision to run was driven by disturbing realities in the constituency, including unemployment, poverty, poor infrastructure, and insecurity.
“I humbly ask you to bear with me today, because what I am about to share with you is not just a speech. It is a confession.
“It is a cry from the heart of a son who deeply loves his people and can no longer remain silent while his land suffers,” he said.
Dr. John painted vivid pictures of hardship confronting residents, recounting sleepless nights caused by thoughts of unemployed graduates, struggling widows, and schoolchildren trekking long distances without basic necessities.
He lamented that despite the resilience and talent of the people, the constituency had been largely neglected.
“Our votes are needed, but our voices are often ignored. We are remembered during elections, but forgotten afterwards. And that must change,” he declared.
The aspirant, however, acknowledged recent efforts by the state government to address road challenges, commending Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for interventions in some parts of the constituency.
Appealing to party stakeholders, Dr. John urged them to prioritise competence, compassion, and accessibility in selecting the party’s candidate.
“When the time comes to choose our candidate, choose someone who will truly represent the people—someone who will remain accessible after the election and understands the pain and hopes of Adavi and Okehi,” he said.
He stressed that the people deserve leadership that is accountable and committed to real development rather than symbolic representation.
Development Agenda.
Outlining his policy thrust, the aspirant pledged to focus on critical areas affecting daily life in the constituency.
On security, he promised to work with relevant agencies to ensure that farmers and residents can live without fear.
He also emphasised youth empowerment through job creation, skills training, and entrepreneurship support, describing young people as the constituency’s greatest asset.
For women, he pledged access to financial support, grants, and empowerment programmes to strengthen families and local economies.
In the education sector, Dr. John promised scholarships and improved access to quality learning facilities, insisting that no child should lose opportunities due to poverty.
He further identified infrastructure,including roads, electricity, water supply, and healthcare,as priorities, vowing to attract federal interventions to address long-standing deficits.
“If given the opportunity, I will carry the voice of Adavi/Okehi to Abuja with courage and determination,” he said.
In what he described as proof of his commitment to service even before holding office, the aspirant announced a series of humanitarian interventions at the event.
These include the award of scholarships to 40 students, distribution of food items to 1,500 residents, financial support to 100 individuals, and the presentation of mobile phones to selected beneficiaries.
“This is not politics. This is service,” he emphasised.
Dr. John described his candidacy as a collective movement aimed at restoring hope and dignity to the constituency.
“I may not be a perfect man, but I am a man who deeply loves his people. Today, we begin a journey,a journey towards a better future for our constituency,” he said.
He urged residents to unite behind a shared vision of development, pledging that together they could transform Adavi/Okehi into a constituency defined by opportunity rather than neglect.
Dr. John’s campaign slogan, “A New Voice for a Better Future,” underscores his promise to provide effective representation and bring renewed attention to the needs of his constituents.
Hon. Fatimat Abdulmalik, immediate past Council Leader of Adavi Local Government and former Local Special Adviser to the Kogi State Government, delivered a stirring address on behalf of Ege-Iruvochinomi Ward.
She expressed gratitude, solidarity, and renewed political resolve at the significant gathering of party leaders, elders, women, youths, and other stakeholders.
She thanked God for what she described as a historic moment for the people of the area, saying that the occasion symbolised the emergence of “a new voice of service, empowerment, and renewed hope” for Adavi Local Government.
In her remarks, Abdulmalik paid glowing tribute to Hon. Suberu Yusuf John, commending his wide-ranging interventions across communities in the constituency.
She highlighted his empowerment programmes, scholarship schemes, and humanitarian support for orphans and the less privileged, noting that these initiatives had restored dignity to struggling families and transformed the prospects of many young people.
According to her, numerous students who once faced bleak educational futures are now pursuing their studies with confidence due to his assistance, while vulnerable members of society have regained a sense of belonging through his compassion.
The politician emphasised that the impact of such initiatives goes beyond material support, describing them as clear evidence that true leadership is measured by service and tangible improvements in people’s lives rather than by titles or positions.
Abdulmalik added that the people of Ege-Iruvochinomi Ward and the wider Adavi community remain deeply appreciative of what she described as “noble and selfless contributions” that have brought hope and stability to many households, particularly among the youth population.
Declaring the position of her ward, the former council leader announced their wholehearted and unreserved support for Suberu’s aspiration to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives.
She expressed confidence in John’s capacity to deliver meaningful representation, expanded opportunities, and accelerated development at the national level, assuring him of continued prayers, cooperation, and unity from the community as the political process unfolds.
The politician invoked divine guidance and success for the aspirant while offering blessings for Ege-Iruvochinomi Ward, Adavi Local Government, Kogi State, and Nigeria as a whole.
Our correspondent reports that the declaration signals the start of what is expected to be a competitive race for the federal legislative seat ahead of the next general elections, as political activities gradually intensify across Nigeria.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
