-Say his experience, network will strengthen regional mobilisation
The Niger Delta Youth Assembly has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima over the appointment of former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ochiglegor Idagbo, as Zonal Coordinator, Support Group Coordination, South-South, under the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
The group described the appointment as timely and strategic, saying Idagbo’s extensive experience in grassroots mobilisation, governance and legislative affairs would strengthen political coordination and mobilisation across the six South-South states.
The National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Youth Assembly, Comrade Bedford Berefa Benjamin, stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday.
Benjamin said Idagbo had acquired decades of experience in grassroots politics and public administration, beginning with his days as a student union leader, where he developed skills in mobilisation, organisation and consensus-building.
He said Idagbo later served as Secretary of Council and two-term Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State before becoming Chairman of the Council of Chairmen of the 18 local government areas in the state.
According to him, the positions provided Idagbo with extensive grassroots exposure and enabled him to build relationships across communities and political structures.
Benjamin added that Idagbo’s tenure as Commissioner for Works in Cross River State further broadened his experience in governance, infrastructure development, administration and project monitoring.
He said the former lawmaker’s two terms in the House of Representatives also equipped him with considerable legislative and national experience.
Benjamin noted that Idagbo served as Chairman of the House Committee on Local Content and Vice-Chairman of several committees of the National Assembly, describing the experience as a major advantage in his new assignment.
“His years in the National Assembly gave him a deep understanding of the political, economic and developmental realities of the South-South region.
“He understands the peculiarities of the six states and has built relationships with political leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth and women groups and other critical stakeholders across the region,” he said.
The assembly said Idagbo’s experience in legislative oversight, committee leadership and constituency engagement had strengthened his capacity for coordination, monitoring and stakeholder management.
Benjamin expressed confidence that the former federal lawmaker would deploy his extensive network and knowledge of the region to coordinate support groups effectively and deepen mobilisation for the APC and President Tinubu’s political project.
The group also commended Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, and other governors of the South-South states for their leadership and expected support for the assignment.
“We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Governor Bassey Edet Otu and all the South-South governors, political leaders and stakeholders for their support.
“We are confident that with their collective support, Rt. Hon. Ochielegor Idagbo will succeed in this assignment,” Benjamin said.
The Niger Delta Youth Assembly described Idagbo as a tested mobiliser whose public service career had spanned student leadership, local government administration, the Cross River State Executive Council and the National Assembly.
It said his combination of grassroots experience, legislative exposure, extensive political network and knowledge of the South-South region positioned him to effectively coordinate support groups and strengthen regional mobilisation.