Vice President Kashim Shettima has stated that the widening coalition of the All Progressives Congress reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusivity, competence and national unity.

He made the remark in Lokoja while formally receiving former Kogi governor Alhaji Idris Wada and other notable political figures into the party.

Shettima said the decision of the elder statesman to join the All Progressives Congress was driven by national interest rather than personal ambition. He added that the development was not a victory of one ego over another, but an alignment with a broader national vision and a platform he described as stable.

The vice president described the All Progressives Congress as a political home where progress minded citizens come together to build a renewed nation.

He urged the new members to view the party as a platform for service and development, especially in Kogi State, where he pledged sustained peace and accelerated growth. He assured the people that peace and development in the state would be deepened as part of the promise of a renewed Nigeria.

According to Shettima, the defection of Idris Wada and other prominent leaders represents a meeting point of progressives and a triumph of reason. He praised President Tinubu for building an inclusive and trustworthy political platform capable of attracting credible leaders from across the country.

He drew a symbolic link between Lokoja, the city where the Niger and Benue rivers meet, and what he described as a merging of convictions for national renewal. He said the movement into the party reflects a growing shift toward political stability, unity and alignment under President Tinubu.

Shettima also commended Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi for providing calm leadership and people driven governance, and praised former Governor Yahaya Bello for ensuring a dignified and smooth democratic transition. He said the cooperation between both leaders stands as a national example of political maturity.

Earlier, Governor Ododo described the new members as individuals of value, character and integrity who have joined the progressives’ family to serve the people. He thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their continuous support, noting that the President had visited the state three times within two years of his administration.

Ododo said the occasion was not only to welcome the new members but also to express gratitude to the President for his leadership and commitment to unity, peace and prosperity in Nigeria, especially in Kogi State.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, said the party’s National Working Committee was in the state to rescue it from what he described as the sinking Peoples Democratic Party. He welcomed Wada and several others into the party, saying they had taken a wise political decision.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Wada said his move to the All Progressives Congress was motivated by President Tinubu’s achievements in infrastructure development, economic reform and social investment. He praised the decision to remove fuel subsidy, noting that although it initially brought hardship, fuel prices were now falling almost every month. He also said the unified exchange rate policy had strengthened the currency and that the naira was appreciating regularly in the foreign exchange market.

Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, the former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu and Alhaji Ali Dalori among others.