The political atmosphere in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State was charged with enthusiasm on Thursday as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took to the streets in a solidarity road walk in support of the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The road walk, which attracted party loyalists, youths, women and other stakeholders, was particularly aimed at mobilising support for the re-election of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, as supporters expressed confidence in her performance and commitment to the people.
Speaking during the road walk, Bashir Haroon, one of the PDP supporters, said the massive turnout was a demonstration of the people’s confidence in Senator Natasha and the PDP.
Haroon said the people of Okehi were not merely participating in a political procession but were making a statement about the kind of representation they desired.
“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. 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,” he said.
He urged other communities across Kogi Central to remain united and ensure that the people’s support for the Senator translates into overwhelming votes at the polls.
Also speaking, the Kogi Central PDP 2027 Campaign Director-General, Alhaji Salami Etudaiye, PhD, described the mobilisation in Okehi as a reflection of the growing strength of the PDP across the senatorial district.
Etudaiye said Senator Natasha’s first tenure had provided the people with a basis upon which to assess her capacity, adding that the 2027 election should be viewed as an opportunity to consolidate on the progress already recorded.
“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,” Etudaiye said.
According to him, the Senator’s return for a second tenure would provide an opportunity to deepen legislative representation, expand constituency-focused interventions and pursue more programmes capable of improving the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
Since assuming office, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has remained a prominent voice on the floor of the National Assembly, combining legislative responsibilities with constituency engagement and advocacy on issues affecting her constituents.
Her supporters argue that her first tenure has established a foundation upon which greater achievements can be built, particularly in the areas of human capital development, economic empowerment, education, infrastructure, youth development and stronger representation for Kogi Central.
The Senator has also consistently positioned herself as a representative willing to raise issues affecting her constituents and the wider Nigerian population at the national level.
For her supporters, the argument for a second tenure is therefore centred on continuity: allowing a representative who has already gained experience within the National Assembly to consolidate her legislative influence and deliver more for the people.
The campaign leadership says a second tenure would be focused on consolidating existing gains while expanding the scope of interventions across the five local government areas that make up Kogi Central.
The proposed direction includes stronger advocacy for infrastructure development, greater opportunities for young people, support for women and small businesses, improved access to education and skills acquisition, healthcare interventions, and the pursuit of projects capable of creating sustainable economic opportunities within the district.
Etudaiye maintained that the people should look beyond political sentiments and consider the long-term interests of Kogi Central.
“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. We are calling on our people across Kogi Central to unite behind Senator Natasha and all the PDP candidates,” he said.
As the 2027 election approaches, PDP stakeholders are increasingly urging voters across Kogi Central to participate actively in the electoral process and support candidates they believe can effectively represent their interests.
The party’s campaign leadership appealed to the people of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene and Ogori-Magongo Local Government Areas to maintain unity and peaceful political engagement throughout the campaign season.
The message from Okehi was clear: the PDP intends to build a strong grassroots structure across Kogi Central, while supporters of Senator Natasha believe her first-term experience provides a strong platform for a second-term mandate.
With the 2027 election drawing closer, the political contest in Kogi Central is expected to intensify, but PDP supporters insist that the road walk in Okehi is only the beginning of a broader mobilisation campaign aimed at securing a massive mandate for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and other PDP candidates.
For the supporters, the objective is straightforward, continuity, stronger representation and a renewed mandate for Kogi Central.
