By Bishop Aturu.
In the quiet but politically strategic communities of Okunchi Ward, the build-up to the 2027 general elections has already begun driven not by loud rallies, but by deliberate grassroots organization, strategic engagement, and steady leadership.
At the center of this renewed momentum is Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha, the Ward Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Kogi State AGILE Coordinator.
Recently, Oricha convened a strategic meeting of APC stakeholders, ward executives, and field operatives, an intervention many party members describe as timely and necessary. The gathering was aimed at strengthening the ongoing APC electronic registration (e-registration) exercise and reinforcing party cohesion at the ward level.
For Oricha, politics is as much about presence as it is about structure. Addressing party members, he emphasized the importance of early mobilization, discipline, and collective ownership of the party’s growth. His message was simple but firm: the road to 2027 begins now, and it begins at the grassroots.
The meeting reaffirmed the ward’s unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, a position echoed by stakeholders who took turns to speak.
Leading the voices was Hon. Sheidu Abdulraheem (Planner), Chairman of Stakeholders, who urged members to remain united and focused, noting that unity remains the APC’s strongest political currency.
The presence of respected figures such as Hon. Abdulaziz Abedo, Hon. Yakubu Osivave Osondo, former SIEC Commissioner Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulraheem Enebe, Hon. Muhammed Ejima, among others, gave the meeting both weight and direction. Their collective message underscored confidence in the party’s leadership and in Oricha’s ability to steer grassroots mobilization.
What distinguished the engagement, however, was its practicality. Field officers openly presented challenges affecting the e-registration exercise; from logistics to outreach limitations. Rather than deferring solutions, Oricha responded immediately, providing financial support to remove obstacles and keep the process moving.
To further strengthen outreach, ₦10,000 was disbursed to stakeholders and ward executives, while additional incentives were extended to field workers to sustain momentum.
Beyond the meeting room, Oricha’s approach reflects a deeper understanding of political leadership. He identified 51 key stakeholders within the ward structure and charged them with specific responsibilities, reinforcing a culture of shared leadership and accountability.
Discussions also touched on sensitive issues such as the distance to polling units, which members warned could affect voter turnout; an issue Oricha acknowledged as requiring strategic engagement. The session, opened by the Ward Chairman, encouraged wide participation, with contributions from the Women Leader, Secretary, Treasurer, Councillor, and several party members. The atmosphere was a of honest reflection, collective resolve, and renewed confidence.
Oricha’s engagement did not end with party executives. In a move that reflects his belief in traditional institutions as pillars of political mobilization, he paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, Dr. M.S Isah Asema Ezuka, seeking the monarch’s support in sensitizing the community on the importance of participating in the APC e-registration exercise.
He also visited various Heads of the Clans, whose blessings carries moral and cultural weight. The elder’s prayers and words of appreciation symbolized the fusion of political strategy and community values that has come to define Oricha’s leadership style.
As APC intensifies preparations for 2027, the activities in Okunchi Ward offers a glimpse into how early planning, grassroots inclusion, and responsive leadership can shape political outcomes.
For many party members, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha represents a brand of leadership that listens, acts, and stays close to the people; qualities that may well determine the APC’s fortunes in the years ahead.
