A retired army general, Major-General Patrick Ademu Akpa, has joined the governorship race in Kogi state.
The retired army general said he is in the race following calls from his people to deliver them from bad leadership being perpetuated by the present administration.
According to a statement from his media office, the leaders of Kogi state young professional and other cultural bodies in the state made the call during the week.
The statement added that they called on the general to offer himself to contest for the governorship election of the state on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
General Akpa, who is from Kogi east senatorial district, has an intimidating profile and a distinguished military career.
He was a commandant of Nigeria Defence Academy, corps commander of the prestigious army engineers and held many directorate post at the army and defence headquarters including chief of army policy and planning and director of training and operations at defence headquarters.
Upon his retirement from military service after 35 year’s meritorious service, he undertook a study on mortgage in the United Kingdom, where he was trained on mortgage and properties development, which he is currently practicing in Abuja.
Akpa is a member and Alumni of National Institute of Strategic Studies, Jos and member of Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyor.
He is regarded as an elder of the APC in Kogi state and he actively campaigned for the party’s candidates during the 2015 elections.
He was a also a member of the APC campaign council in Kogi state and in the reconciliation committee after the governorship primaries of the APC.
The leader of Kogi state young professionals, Pastor John Desmond said, “Akpa is the leader the people of Kogi state need. Akpa is a detribalized person, a man that has help many young people to grow their profession
“During his days in the military, he helped a lot of our people into the military service, he has assisted orphans, built hospital, school, and given many scholarship to students of Kogi state.
“In fact, if Kogi people want to enjoy better governance, the emergence of General Akpa is an opportunity for us to taste a better government again.”
