Ojema Moves to Rebuild APC Unity in Apa, Sets Reconciliation Machinery Ahead of 2027
— urges aggrieved members to bury differences
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Hon. Pst. Ojotu Ojema, has intensified efforts to close ranks within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Apa Local Government Area, convening a high-level peace and reconciliation meeting as the party begins preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, held in Apa on Friday, September 18, brought together party leaders, serving and former political office holders, ward and local government officials, women and youth representatives and other stakeholders, culminating in the establishment of a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to engage aggrieved members and facilitate their return to the party fold.
The development was contained in a statement issued by Olikita Ekani, Media Aide to the House of Representatives Member for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, on September 19, 2026.
Addressing the stakeholders, Ojema, who chairs the House Committee on National Inland Waterways, said the meeting was convened principally to promote unity and reconciliation, urging members who felt aggrieved to set aside personal differences in the interest of the party and the constituency.
The lawmaker made a personal appeal for reconciliation, asking anyone he might have offended to forgive him while declaring that he had also forgiven those who may have offended him.
“I derive joy from the happiness of others,” Ojema said, stressing that such happiness could only be sustained when there is “unity of purpose among the people.”
Quoting Psalm 133:1 — “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” — Ojema said internal cohesion would strengthen the APC in Apa/Agatu and improve the party’s capacity to pursue its political objectives.
He also invoked Matthew 24:13 to emphasise patience and perseverance in politics, warning that impatience could cause aspirants and supporters to lose opportunities even when their political objectives appeared within reach.
‘Apa Turn for Development’
Ojema commended stakeholders advocating the rotation of political opportunities to Apa, describing the campaign as an opportunity for greater human capital development, empowerment, infrastructure projects, effective representation, peace and unity.
“It is Apa Turn for greater Human Capital Development, more empowerment, more projects, effective representation, greater peace and unity for total transformation of Apa land,” he said.
He called on stakeholders to reject disunity, hatred and what he described as retrogression, arguing that sustainable development requires a peaceful political environment.
The lawmaker also said a second term in the House of Representatives would provide an opportunity to further strengthen Apa/Agatu’s position within the leadership structure of the Green Chamber and expand access to constituency benefits.
Ojema cited his constituency interventions and said he had facilitated 72 federal appointments for constituents, in addition to empowerment programmes and projects executed across the federal constituency. He added that the number of appointments was expected to exceed 100 in the coming days.
He subsequently urged party members to work for the success of APC candidates in the 2027 elections, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia, himself and other party candidates.
Stakeholders Commit to Reconciliation
Apa LGA Chairman, Adams Ogwola, commended Ojema for convening the meeting, describing it as an opportunity for APC members to resolve their differences and operate as one political family.
Former APC State Chairman in Benue State, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo, speaking for Apa Zone A, also commended the initiative.
Omakolo said, in his view, one pathway being advocated for the eventual rotation of the House of Representatives seat to Apa was for stakeholders in the area to support the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections while working towards the rotation of political opportunities in subsequent electoral cycles.
He said Apa Zone A stakeholders had resolved to support APC candidates in 2027 and urged other zones to adopt the same approach.
Representing Apa Zone B, Barr. Ocholi called for reconciliation from the polling-unit level through the wards and local government, while Garba Echono, speaking for Zone C, said stakeholders in the zone had also resolved to support the APC.
The Apa LGA APC Woman Leader, Hon. Mrs. Favour Obiye Enokela, called for greater recognition and inclusion of women’s support groups, highlighting their role in political mobilisation and elections.
Leader of the Apa Legislative Council, Hon. Hassan Emmanuel, urged aggrieved members to bury their differences, noting that the party’s primaries had been concluded and candidates had emerged.
The Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dan Ogbeche Odaudu, and APC State Welfare Secretary, Bishop Kefas Okwori, separately described the meeting as timely and urged members to avoid actions capable of weakening the party.
In a goodwill message, the Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Community Relations and Mobilisation, Hon. Idris Ojimbili, commended the people of Apa for their stated commitment to supporting APC candidates in 2027, adding that stakeholders in Agatu had expressed a similar position.
Peace Committee to Engage Aggrieved Members
The major outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which will engage aggrieved party members, facilitate dialogue and support their reintegration into the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for dialogue, reconciliation and unity among APC stakeholders in Apa, with participants stressing the need for collective effort as the 2027 electoral cycle approaches.
The gathering was attended by the Executive Chairman of Apa LGA, Hon. Adams Ogwola; Gubernatorial Liaison Officer, Hon. Emmanuel Yahaya Eigege; APC LGA Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Abutu; former APC State Chairman, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo; former Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Dan Ale; former Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Dr. Barr. Peter Sani Ochijele; APC chieftain Elder Garba Echono; Bishop Kefas Okwori and other party leaders.
Also present were former and serving local government officials, councillors, ward and local government party executives, elders, youths and women’s groups from Apa and Agatu.
