The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Lagos State, on Wednesday affirmed Honourable Thankgod Kenechukwu Christopher Ibeh as its consensus candidate for the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The primary election, which held at Awgbu Hall along Ago Palace Way in Amuwo Odofin, commenced at about 11:20am with an opening prayer conducted by the party’s women leader.

The exercise was anchored by Comrade Ololade Johnson, Director General of the Thankgod Kenechukwu Campaign (TKC) and APGA Lagos State Secretary, who also delivered the opening speech at the event.

Dignitaries seated at the high table included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representative, Mr Emeka; the Chairman of APGA in Amuwo Odofin Local Government, High Chief Ochiedike; Honourable Sylvia Iyele, Secretary of the Election Planning Committee; and Honourable Izunwanne, Deputy National Youth Leader (South-West) of APGA and member of the election planning committee.

Addressing delegates and party members, the returning officer explained that the party had already submitted the list of the election committee to the INEC representative and completed the accreditation of delegates.

He further disclosed that since there was no opposition contestant for the ticket, the process would not involve the conventional ballot system but rather an affirmation process.

“There is no contest and as such there will not be the usual ballot voting. What we are going to do is an affirmation where Honourable Thankgod Kenechukwu Christopher Ibeh will come out and delegates will queue behind him as the consensus candidate of the party,” he stated.

Following the announcement, 21 accredited delegates rallied behind Ibeh in a show of unanimous support, after which the returning officer officially declared him the APGA candidate for the Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency House of Representatives election.

Speaking after his emergence, Ibeh expressed gratitude to party leaders, delegates, supporters, and security operatives present at the venue.

According to him, APGA remains “a party without enemies” committed to progressive ideals and grassroots development.

He also appreciated the leadership of APGA at the state and national levels, including the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and the National Chairman of the party, Chief Sly Ezeokenwa.

“The journey has just started,” Ibeh declared. “I am preparing to bring drastic change to Amuwo Odofin.”

In a symbolic remark, he added: “If a woman marries two husbands, she will choose the one that is best for her,” suggesting that residents of the constituency deserve a new style of representation after years of dissatisfaction with previous leadership.

He assured constituents that his performance in office, if elected, would speak for itself at the end of his tenure.

“I want my report card after four years to speak for me. Everybody in Amuwo Odofin, including the common man, will enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, the APGA candidate described his consensus emergence as a significant vote of confidence.

“To me it means a lot because you can imagine being given a mantle of leadership so peacefully, no stress. People confide in you and give you the mantle of leadership to pilot their affairs and represent them in Abuja. It is a very big task which I will not take for granted,” he said.

On why party stakeholders rallied behind his candidacy, Ibeh attributed it to his track record and grassroots engagement.

“They know I have the capacity, ability and credibility. When you talk about human capital development, they know I have it. That is why they are sending me to Abuja to represent the good people of Amuwo Odofin,” he added.

Speaking on youth participation and first-time voters, the APGA flagbearer said his longstanding relationship with young people would strengthen his support base.

“I am one of the youth lovers. I do a lot of youth empowerment and I am very close to the youths because they always hear me and I hear them. I am a sports lover and youths love sports. So the connectivity will not be difficult,” he said.

Ibeh also promised to prioritize accessibility and people-oriented leadership if elected into office.

“I discovered that many people who represented this constituency did not have a listening ear or accessibility to the common man. I want to change that narrative and ensure people truly feel the impact of democracy,” he stated.

On party unity, he maintained that APGA remained cohesive and progressive despite not fielding a presidential candidate in previous elections.

“APGA is so united. We are grassroots-oriented and progressive-minded. We believe in being our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper,” he said.

Speaking on endorsements from non-indigenous communities in the constituency, Ibeh described the support from Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and other ethnic groups as a strong indication of unity and trust.

“For all the non-indigenes to come together and endorse me shows the synergy we have built in Amuwo Odofin. I will not betray that confidence,” he assured.

On his next move after emerging as candidate, the APGA chieftain said he would immediately intensify consultations across the constituency.

“I will touch all the nooks and crannies of Amuwo Odofin to spread the good news. This is not about tribe or ethnicity; this is about the people of Amuwo Odofin. A win for me is a win for all of us,” he said.

Also speaking after the exercise, the Chairman of APGA in Amuwo Odofin, High Chief Ochiedike, said the party adopted consensus because it had identified a credible and capable candidate.

“In APGA, when we have a credible person, there is no need for unnecessary contests. The man we have chosen has the antecedents and what it takes,” he said.

According to him, Ibeh had consistently supported the growth and operations of the party in Lagos State.

“Since he became state chairman, he has been carrying the party along and taking care of members and party affairs. That is why we agreed he should fly the flag,” he added.

The Lagos State Women Leader of APGA, Chief Mrs Olivia Ujunwa, also commended Ibeh’s leadership qualities and philanthropic gestures.

“He brought peace to the party when there were divisions in Lagos. He united everybody under one umbrella,” she said.

She further recounted how Ibeh once donated N2 million to support a charity outreach for less privileged children after seeing the initiative on her social media status.

“He is a man with a heart of gold. He remembers the poor masses and that is why we believe he can uplift Amuwo Odofin,” she stated.

Another party leader, Lolo Ebele Umuta, described Ibeh as “a man that hears and cares for people,” while affirming that women within the party would mobilize strongly for his candidacy.

Youth delegate Mrs Chinyere also praised the APGA candidate, describing him as “a man of the people who understands the burden of ordinary Nigerians.”

Similarly, APGA delegate Ogbuefi Honourable Solomon Ejimofor described Ibeh as “a trailblazer and youth-oriented leader” with strong popularity across Festac and Amuwo Odofin.

With his emergence as consensus candidate, political observers say APGA may be positioning itself to play a stronger role in the political dynamics of Amuwo Odofin ahead of the 2027 elections.