The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State turned a new page on Monday, electing Dr Emmanuel Achimugu as State Chairman of its 2026 State Working Committee in a congress that party leaders hailed as peaceful and transparent.

Held at the SDP state secretariat in Lokoja, the well-attended congress filled out a full roster of officials to steer the party’s affairs across Kogi ahead of the 2026 political cycle.

Other key officials to manage the affairs of the party across the state include Agomi Ojapa Yusuf, who emerged as Deputy Chairman, while Alhaji Idris Sofada was elected Secretary. Hon. Noah Emmanuel Akwu, Lukman Yahaya Suleman, and Isah Abdulkarim were elected as Zonal Vice Chairmen.

Members of the committee include Simon Agada as Organising Secretary, Lamdi Salami as Treasurer, and Mohammed Jimoh as Financial Secretary. Zakari Ahmed Buhari emerged as Youth Leader, while Mrs Ronke Emife was elected Women Leader.

Also elected are Prince Moses Dakwu as Legal Adviser, Mr Jethro Olusegun as Welfare Secretary, and Ibrahim Momohsani Hassan as Deputy Secretary. Mustapha Inuwa will serve as representative of Persons with Disabilities, while Affor Freedom was elected State Secretary for Labour and Civil Society. Elemona Ichaba, PhD, will serve as Publicity Secretary.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Achimugu thanked INEC officials who monitored the exercise and praised SDP members for their orderly conduct.

He vowed to elevate the party’s profile in Kogi and expressed strong confidence in its chances at the polls going forward.

Newly elected Secretary Alhaji Idris Sofada, who announced the full list of officers, commended members for their support and described the congress as successful and orderly.

Stakeholders at the event pointed to the smooth, transparent process as evidence of the Kogi SDP’s commitment to internal democracy and good governance as it sets its sights on 2026.