By: Yetunde Ayedogbon
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has ramped up grassroots mobilisation efforts in Kogi Central ahead of the 2027 general elections, with party supporters in Okehi Local Government Area publicly declaring their support for the re-election of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The mobilisation drive took place on Thursday, as party loyalists, youths, women and other stakeholders staged a solidarity road walk through Okehi to rally support for the senator and other PDP candidates ahead of next year’s polls.
The exercise was specifically geared towards boosting support for Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Speaking during the walk, the Director-General of the Kogi Central PDP 2027 Campaign, Alhaji Salami Etudaiye, described the show of support in Okehi as evidence of the party’s growing strength at the grassroots level.
According to Etudaiye, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s first term in office has given constituents the chance to evaluate her performance and capability, and he argued that the 2027 election presents an opportunity to build on the progress already made.
“The people of Kogi Central have a choice to make, and that choice should be based on performance, capacity, courage and the ability to represent the collective interest of the people. Senator Natasha has demonstrated these qualities in her first tenure,” he said.
He added that a second term would allow the senator to strengthen legislative representation, broaden constituency-focused interventions, and pursue programmes aimed at improving residents’ socio-economic wellbeing.
Etudaiye said the campaign for her re-election would centre on consolidating existing achievements while extending interventions across all five local government areas in the district. Among the stated priorities were stronger advocacy for infrastructure development, opportunities for young people, support for women and small businesses, education and skills acquisition, healthcare initiatives, and projects designed to create sustainable economic opportunities.
“A second tenure is not simply about returning an individual to office. It is about giving the people an opportunity to consolidate representation, experience and programmes that can have lasting impact,” he said. “We are calling on our people across Kogi Central to unite behind Senator Natasha and all the PDP candidates.”
The campaign leadership further appealed to voters across Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene and Ogori-Magongo to maintain unity and engage peacefully in politics as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.
A PDP supporter, Bashir Haroon, said the turnout reflected the level of confidence residents have in both the senator and the party. He described the event as more than just a political procession, calling it a statement on the kind of representation the people want.
“Okehi is standing firm with the PDP and with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. We have seen her commitment, we have seen her courage, and we have seen the way she has continued to identify with the people,” he said. “This support is not about politics alone; it is about standing with a representative who has demonstrated that she understands the aspirations of her constituents.”
Haroon urged communities across Kogi Central to remain united and ensure that support for Akpoti-Uduaghan and the PDP translates into actual votes come the 2027 elections.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the PDP, was first elected to represent Kogi Central in the Senate during the 2023 general elections. The senatorial district comprises Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene and Ogori-Magongo local government areas and remains a significant political constituency within the state.
Since taking office, the senator has been a prominent voice in the National Assembly, with her activities and political engagements consistently drawing national attention. Her supporters maintain that her first term has laid the groundwork for continued interventions in areas such as human capital development, education, youth empowerment, women’s development, infrastructure and constituency representation.