By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam, popularly known as Alfa Imam, has officially confirmed his return to the APC, describing the party as his political foundation and natural home.
He stated this in a chat with NationalWatch TV at his GRA residence in Lokoja on Monday, ahead of his official decamping ceremony, scheduled to hold at the Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja.
Alfa Imam, who disclosed that he was among the founding members of the party at the state level, expressed deep confidence in the ideology and principles upon which the APC was built, adding that they were the original reasons he joined the party.
“I was one of the founding members of the party at the state level, and indeed it’s a party that had everything I believe a party should be built upon. That was why I was convinced to join it. It was my first party ever,” he stated.
He recalled contesting and winning a seat into the Kogi State House of Assembly under the platform of the APC, where he later emerged Speaker.
He noted that though circumstances led him and his team to temporarily leave the party, it became necessary to return after discovering that what they sought elsewhere did not fundamentally differ from what they had built within the APC.
“Certain things happened that necessitated moving out of the party myself and my group. We went on a voyage, but it became necessary to retreat and return. What we thought we would find elsewhere wasn’t there. It was better to return to where we were known, where we built APC. So we’re back.”
When asked about the size of his political followership returning with him, Alfa Imam said it was impossible to give a definite figure but emphasized that the number was large and drawn from all parts of the state.
“As you know, having served as Speaker, I have the entire state as my constituency—Central, East, and West. Many of them followed me everywhere. The more reason it took time was because the governor personally reached out to me about six months ago. I needed time to consult widely.”
He stated that extensive stakeholders’ engagement informed the final decision to return to the party.
“Not that I wasn’t willing, but I had to carry out far-reaching consultations across boards. We are large. As we left, we are coming back.”
He expressed appreciation to party members and supporters for their patience, assuring them of strengthened collaboration and renewed commitment to the growth of the party.
The official decamping event is expected to attract top political leaders, stakeholders, supporters, and party loyalists from across the state.
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