The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi Central Senatorial District has inaugurated its campaign organisation ahead of the 2027 General Elections, with a charge to members to embark on an aggressive grassroots mobilisation strategy aimed at securing victory for all PDP candidates in the senatorial district.
The campaign organisation, inaugurated under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, appointed Dr. Salami Etudaiye, PhD, as Director-General (DG) and Hon. Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya Karaku as Campaign Chairman.
Other members of the campaign organisation are Hon. Jacob Ogirima Anebe, Secretary; Hon. Ilyasu Zubair, Head of Operations; Hon. Isiaka Uhuanaye, Head of Technicals; and Hon. Jane Onoba, Head of Welfare.
Senator Natasha charges campaign team on grassroots mobilisation
Speaking at the inauguration, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan charged the newly inaugurated campaign team to work tirelessly for the success of all PDP candidates in Kogi Central, stressing that the party’s campaign must be firmly rooted in the grassroots.
According to her, the campaign must go beyond conventional rallies and embrace direct engagement with the electorate through sustained grassroots mobilisation.
“This campaign must be house-to-house and polling-unit-by-polling-unit. We must reach our people directly, listen to them, engage them and explain clearly why the PDP remains the best platform for the development and progress of our people.”
The Senator further called on the campaign organisation to open its doors to everyone willing to contribute to the party’s success, irrespective of previous political differences.
“We must open our doors for everyone who wants to join this moving train and this winning team. There is room for everyone who believes in the PDP and in the future we are building for Kogi Central.”
She urged members of the campaign organisation to demonstrate discipline, unity and commitment while ensuring that every ward and polling unit was adequately covered.
Senator Natasha also emphasised the importance of teamwork, noting that the forthcoming election would require the collective efforts of party leaders, women, youths, ward executives, campaign coordinators, volunteers and other stakeholders.
‘This is a call to battle’ — Salami Etudaiye, PhD
In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed Campaign Director-General, Dr. Salami Etudaiye, PhD, described his appointment as a sacred responsibility and vowed to deploy his experience, energy and organisational capacity towards delivering victory for the PDP.
“I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit on fire. I accept, with humility and with steely resolve, the sacred responsibility you have placed upon me as Director-General of this campaign.”
He stressed that the appointment was not merely ceremonial but a call to organise a formidable political movement across Kogi Central.
“This is not a ceremonial title. This is a call to battle. I did not accept this assignment to manage a campaign of polite handshakes and quiet meetings. I accepted it to organise a movement.”
Dr. Etudaiye said the campaign would penetrate every segment of Kogi Central, including Okene, Adavi, Ajaokuta and Okehi, with particular attention to wards, polling units, streets, markets, campuses and households.
“We are not going into this election to beg. We are going in to win and to win decisively.”
The Campaign DG called on PDP members across the senatorial district to rise to the occasion, insisting that victory would depend on effective organisation, mobilisation, unity and discipline.
He particularly appealed to women and youths to play active roles in the campaign, describing women as the backbone of the party and youths as an indispensable component of modern political mobilisation.
“To our youth: your energy, your digital power, your courage—this campaign will be incomplete without you. Come and own it.”
Etudaiye further pledged to lead the campaign organisation with transparency, competence and an unwavering focus on victory.
“I pledge to lead this organisation with transparency, with competence, and with an unrelenting focus on victory. I will listen. I will coordinate. I will fight for every vote.”
He concluded:
“This is not just a campaign. This is a revolution of hope for Kogi Central. I accept this charge. I embrace this duty. And by the grace of God and the collective will of our people, we shall prevail.”
Campaign Chairman urges unity, discipline
The Campaign Chairman, Hon. Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya Karaku, in his remarks, congratulated members of the newly inaugurated campaign organisation and urged all PDP stakeholders to put the interest of the party and the people above personal considerations.
Hon. Karaku called for unity, peaceful political engagement and positive campaigning, stressing that members must avoid politics of bitterness, personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.
“This is the time for every member of our great party to come together. We must put aside whatever differences we may have and concentrate on the larger objective of building a stronger PDP and securing victory for our candidates.”
He urged party members to take the campaign to the grassroots and engage the electorate with facts, programmes, achievements and the aspirations of the party rather than resorting to political hostility.
“Our message must be positive, our conduct must be responsible, and our mobilisation must be strategic. We must convince the people through our programmes, our commitment and our presence at the grassroots. Elections are won by organisation, unity and the ability to connect with the people.”
The Campaign Chairman further charged ward leaders, polling-unit coordinators, women and youth leaders, volunteers and other campaign operatives to work as one team.
“Nobody should consider himself or herself too important to work with another person. Every vote matters, every ward matters and every polling unit matters. If we remain united, disciplined and focused, we can achieve the victory we desire.”
He also appealed to party supporters to maintain peace throughout the electoral process and uphold democratic principles, urging them to promote issue-based and constructive political engagement.
Campaign Organisation
The newly inaugurated Kogi Central PDP Campaign Organisation comprises:
- Campaign Chairman: Hon. Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya Karaku
- Director-General: Dr. Salami Etudaiye, PhD
- Secretary: Hon. Jacob Ogirima Anebe
- Head of Operations: Hon. Ilyasu Zubair
- Head of Technicals: Hon. Isiaka Uhuanaye
- Head of Welfare: Hon. Jane Onoba
The inauguration marks a significant step in the PDP’s preparations for the 2027 General Elections, as the party seeks to strengthen its grassroots structure and coordinate its campaign activities across the four local government areas of Kogi Central.
The campaign leadership is expected to commence extensive mobilisation across wards and polling units, with emphasis on direct engagement with voters, internal cohesion, disciplined organisation and a coordinated strategy for the success of all PDP candidates.
The newly inaugurated team is also expected to work closely with party leaders, stakeholders, women and youth groups, ward executives and grassroots supporters in building a broad-based campaign structure capable of taking the PDP’s message to every household and polling unit across Kogi Central.
