Comrade Sunday Bala Oma, the youngest governorship aspirant in Kogi State’s 2019 election, has stepped down as the state’s Coordinator for the Big Tent, the Professor Pat Utomi-led coalition advocating for good governance across Nigeria.
Bala Oma announced his resignation ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he is stepping aside to devote more attention to community projects being run by his non-governmental organization across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. He has nominated Hon. Jacob Etswayo to succeed him as Kogi State Coordinator.
Bala Oma was appointed Big Tent Coordinator for Kogi State in 2022, ahead of the 2023 general elections. Under his leadership, Kogi’s chapter emerged as the best-performing state coordination among the movement’s 36 state chapters and the Federal Capital Territory.
He credited the achievement to the support of key stakeholders across Kogi State who worked alongside him during his tenure.
The Big Tent, led by Professor Pat Utomi, is a coalition that champions good governance and works to back credible leaders capable of delivering transformative development to Nigeria’s states and to the nation at large.
The resignation is not Bala Oma’s first move to prioritize his NGO work over political engagements. In January 2025, he was appointed to the Advisory Council of the Obidient Movement, a body led by Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the last general election. Bala Oma declined the appointment at the time, citing the need to focus on his community development projects, which were then entering their implementation phase.
In stepping down, Bala Oma thanked those who had contributed to what he described as a worthwhile tenure and appealed to supporters of good governance to rally behind the incoming leadership under Hon. Jacob Etswayo.
Bala Oma is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sunday Bala Oma Foundation, an NGO focused on advocating for good governance, driving community development, and empowering young Nigerians. Observers say his foundation’s projects are expected to expand their footprint across the federation in the coming days.
