By joshua How Karimi, Isah’s WWT Movement Locked Down Ankpa Federal Constituency for Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election
As 2027 inches closer, the battle for continuity and sustainability of the gains recorded since 2023 is taking a decisive shape in Kogi State. And in Ankpa Federal Constituency, the verdict is already loud and clear: there is no going back to Egypt.
It was not just another political gathering that happened in Ankpa on Tuesday, September 16, 2026. It was a statement. Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro, three local governments that form one of the most politically conscious federal constituencies in Kogi East, converged in their hundreds at the Atiele Oma Idoko Hall, behind Ankpa Township Stadium.
Ankpa Federal Constituency has always remained a melting point for the politics of Kogi East. They are known for their yes, and whenever they make up their mind like they did at the town hall meeting, convincing them to do otherwise will always hit a brick wall. That resolve was rekindled. It is APC, it is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or nothing.
The platform is the Win With Tinubu Project, the brainchild of Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West and Chairman of the project, and Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, representing Kogi East, who serves as Co-Chairman. Their effort has moved the 2027 conversation from Abuja conference tables and social media timelines to where elections are truly won, palaces, town halls, markets and villages. The Ankpa Town Hall, themed Unity for Sustainable Development in Kogi East Senatorial District, was part of a statewide tour to galvanize grassroots support for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
WWT understood the protocol of the grassroots. The entourage did not go straight to the hall. It started from the palace of the Onu Ankpa, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar, to the palace of the paramount ruler, the Eje Ankpa, HRH Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar Yakubu II, to solicit royal blessings and prayers for the President and for peaceful 2027 elections. That long convoy snaking through Ankpa was more than political symbolism. It was the meeting point of traditional authority, grassroots mobilisation and democratic engagement. Leading the team was State Programme Coordinator, Hon. Sanni Philips, accompanied by AIG Yaro Abutu retired, Programme Director, Security and Intelligence, Hon. Hassan Omale, former Member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Kashim Akor, former Director General of the National Productivity Centre and Waali of Igala land, who is Director Planning and Strategy, Pastor Kingsley Ajileye, Programme Secretary representing Senator Isah, Hon. Musa Bakare representing Senator Karimi, Mrs. Omoladun Baiye, Director Strategic Communications, and other stakeholders.
At the heart of the WWT message in Ankpa was a simple, uncompromising proposition that Nigeria must not abandon reforms halfway. Governments formulate policies and commence projects that require years of sustained implementation. Roads need to be completed. Economic reforms need to consolidate. The Student Loan Scheme, NELFUND, needs to reach more students. Agricultural programmes need to expand. Infrastructure needs to be delivered. For WWT, President Tinubu deserves another four year mandate to let that work mature. The argument resonated because the people of Ankpa Federal Constituency believe they have not been forgotten. From the appointment of a Chief of Army Staff from Kogi State, to the ongoing construction of military barracks in the state, the establishment of a Naval Base in Abocho, Dekina Local Government Area, the appointment of prominent sons of Ankpa into key positions, to interventions in palliatives, educational support and scholarships facilitated by Senator Karimi in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the constituency feels it has gotten a fair deal. And they expect consolidation in a second term.
Hon. Sanni Philips captured the mood when he said Ankpa Federal Constituency is a progressive constituency and that Kogi East, particularly Ankpa, remains vital to APC’s victory, and the mammoth crowd at the town hall is a clear indication of the readiness of the people to deliver President Tinubu overwhelmingly in 2027. He said the essence of the town hall is to ensure President Tinubu wins and wins very well, adding that the administration’s strategic policies have significantly degraded insecurity across the country.
Comrade Sylvester Achoba, Ankpa Federal Constituency Coordinator of WWT, reeled out the scorecard since 2023, including shoring up of external reserves, foreign investment inflows, unification of the exchange rate, NELFUND, new national minimum wage, consumer credit scheme, youth empowerment and creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development.
In his goodwill message, Hon. Hassan Omale said Kogi East has every reason to re-elect Tinubu and Shettima for bold economic decisions that have stabilized the economy and restored investor confidence. Dr. Kashim Akor called for sustained support for Tinubu to do more for Ankpa Federal Constituency. AIG Yaro Abutu retired said a second term will consolidate and expand the gains already recorded and improve all aspects of Nigerians’ lives, describing WWT’s grassroots engagement model as first of its kind and assuring that Ankpa will reciprocate with massive votes at the polls.
Hon. Hassan Ibrahim anchored his support on security, citing the appointment of Chief of Army Staff, barracks expansion and improved security architecture, and urged the constituency to come out en masse to vote for Tinubu in 2027. Policy analyst Onalo Atokolo presented a detailed breakdown of reforms in transportation and road infrastructure, electricity, petroleum deregulation, increase in gross external reserves, single window for forex, youth empowerment, new minimum wage, agricultural revolution and landmark expansion in security architecture. His conclusion was that you don’t change a winning team and that a new Nigeria is rising under Tinubu.
Pastor Ajileye and Hon. Bakare, speaking for Senators Isah and Karimi, said Kogi State has never had it so good and is dear to President Tinubu’s heart.
Beyond the speeches, the significance of Ankpa goes beyond one constituency. It shows the 2027 political conversation is moving deeper into palaces, town halls, farms and homes of traders, women and youths. That is where elections are won, not merely in political offices, but in the hearts and minds of citizens.
For Ankpa Federal Constituency, the mind is made up. They have weighed record against rhetoric, projects against promises, and concluded that Kogi State, with the East and Ankpa Federal Constituency in particular, has gotten a fair deal under Tinubu and they remain unwavering in their resolve to see consolidation in his second term.
The declaration was made at the massive town hall meeting held at the Atiele Oma Idoko Hall, Ankpa, convened by the Win With Tinubu Project. The constituency, comprising Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas, converged in their hundreds, and the message was unmistakable. Ankpa is listening, Ankpa is engaging, Ankpa is asking questions, and Ankpa is preparing to make its voice count in 2027.
The WWT campaign train is moving, Kogi East is listening, Ankpa has spoken, and the message from the Win With Tinubu movement is that 2027 is about continuity, consolidation and completing what has begun, by renewing the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.