The National Director of Planning of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN), Hajia Aishat Oyiza Omade, has dismissed speculations of a political rift among associates of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, and alleged crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Omade made the clarification in a press statement issued on Friday in Lokoja, following speculations surrounding the emergence of a new coordinator for the presidential support group.
Omade stated that the replacement of Senator Abubakar Sadiku Ohere as the Kogi State Coordinator of RTIFN should not be interpreted as a sign of division or political conflict. Instead, she described it as a deliberate effort to promote fairness, geographical balance, and wider stakeholder participation. According to her, the development should be understood within the context of political inclusion and the need to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.
The decision to replace Ohere followed discussions at a meeting of Kogi stakeholders of RTIFN in Abuja, convened by the group's National Coordinator. The meeting was attended by prominent political figures, including former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Edward David Onoja, and Hajiya Baiwa Salamatu. Omade explained that she raised concerns about the concentration of leadership positions in some presidential support groups within Okene Local Government Area.
Omade acknowledged Senator Ohere's leadership capacity and expressed her full support for him to succeed in the role. However, she believed that the opportunity should be extended to another local government area to promote equitable representation. Following the voluntary resignation of Hon David Zaccaharia from the position to pursue his political career under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), discussions arose over who should take over the leadership of the organisation in Kogi State.
Omade cited several presidential support groups whose leadership positions are occupied by individuals from different parts of the state. She noted that some key positions are concentrated in Okene while other local government areas deserve greater representation. Examples of such groups include Arewa for Asiwaju State Coordinator, Abdulkareem Asuku, and PBAT Door-to-Door Coordinator for Kogi Central, Hon Ahovi.
Omade stressed that political mobilisation becomes more effective when stakeholders are given opportunities to contribute and feel a genuine sense of ownership. She described the emergence of Alhaji Abdullahi Bello (Dollar), a former APC state chairman and the current Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as an opportunity to expand RTIFN's organisational reach and strengthen its grassroots structures.
Omade called for cooperation among the former and new leadership, stressing that political differences and changes in organisational responsibilities should be handled with maturity, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the party's collective objectives. She expressed confidence that greater inclusion, constructive engagement, and sustained cooperation would strengthen the party and promote its growth.
Key points
- The Kogi APC has denied internal crisis amid leadership change in presidential support group.
- The change in RTIFN's Kogi State leadership is aimed at promoting fairness, geographical balance, and wider stakeholder participation.
- The development should be understood within the context of political inclusion and the need to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.
