Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has rallied members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi East to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ododo made the call during a thank-you and victory mobilisation tour organised for the APC candidate for Kogi East Senatorial District, Chief Joseph Ameh Erico, which culminated in a homecoming reception at Erico’s hometown of Etutekpe, Okpo, in Olamaboro Local Government Area.
The mobilisation comes as the APC strengthens its political structure across Kogi East ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party seeking to consolidate its position in the senatorial district and secure support for its candidates.
Ododo calls for unity in Kogi East
The governor’s appeal centred on unity and coordinated mobilisation among APC members and leaders in the district.
The latest mobilisation tour reportedly passed through several communities, including Idah, Ejule, Anyigba and Ankpa, before ending at Etutekpe.
The tour was led by Kogi State Deputy Governor Joel Salifu Oyibo and involved APC candidates and political stakeholders from the three federal constituencies that make up Kogi East.
Among those involved were the party’s House of Representatives candidates for Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro, Dekina/Bassa and Idah federal constituencies.
The mobilisation is part of the wider political preparations already underway in Kogi ahead of the 2027 elections.
Erico emerges as APC candidate for Kogi East
Chief Joseph Ameh Erico is the APC’s candidate for the Kogi East Senatorial District election.
Erico emerged from the party’s senatorial primary after defeating incumbent Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho and former Social Democratic Party governorship candidate Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, according to reports by The Guardian.
Following his emergence, Erico pledged to work with other party stakeholders to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ododo ahead of the 2027 elections.
His candidacy has subsequently become part of the APC’s wider mobilisation strategy in Kogi East.
The governor had also previously praised Erico for his political commitment and described him as a loyal party member whose contributions had earned the confidence of the APC leadership in the state.
APC targets stronger grassroots structure
The latest rally is taking place against the backdrop of a broader effort by the APC leadership in Kogi to strengthen its grassroots organisation.
In August, Ododo directed political appointees across the state to return to their constituencies and intensify engagement with residents ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor said the party needed greater coordination, unity and sustained engagement with communities if it was to secure electoral support.
He also called on political appointees to engage community leaders, young people, women and other stakeholders while explaining the policies and programmes of both his administration and the Federal Government.
The move indicates that the APC is seeking to make grassroots organisation a central part of its strategy rather than relying solely on campaign activities closer to election day.
Unity remains a key issue for the party
The mobilisation also comes at a time when the APC leadership in Kogi is attempting to manage internal differences and strengthen cohesion ahead of the elections.
On September 8, 2026, Ododo inaugurated a 17-member APC Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee headed by former Kogi State Governor Idris Ichala Wada.
The committee was tasked with reconciling aggrieved party members and strengthening unity within the APC.
The governor said internal disagreements needed to be resolved through dialogue and reconciliation, arguing that unity would be important to the party’s prospects in 2027.
The reconciliation effort is significant because political parties often face internal competition when preparing for major elections, particularly where several aspirants and interest groups are seeking influence.
For the APC, maintaining cooperation among its various factions could be important as the party seeks to retain its political strength in Kogi.
Kogi East and the 2027 political contest
Kogi East is made up of nine local government areas and remains an important political zone in the state.
The district has already witnessed political mobilisation around both national and state elections scheduled for 2027.
In August, APC stakeholders from the district announced plans to mobilise across all nine local government areas in support of President Tinubu and Governor Ododo.
The stakeholders said their objectives included supporting Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, winning National and State Assembly seats and backing Ododo’s bid for another term as governor.
Kogi APC stakeholders had also endorsed Tinubu and Ododo for another term during a major party gathering in Lokoja in October 2025.
Earlier in 2026, constituents at a Kogi East political summit similarly endorsed Ododo for a second term and discussed a longer-term strategy aimed at returning the governorship to Kogi East after his tenure.
These developments show that political calculations in the district extend beyond the immediate senatorial contest and are connected to the wider struggle for political influence in Kogi State.
What the mobilisation means
The latest APC mobilisation demonstrates that the 2027 election cycle is already becoming a major focus of political activity in Kogi.
For the ruling party, the immediate challenge will be maintaining unity while translating political endorsements and rallies into sustained support at the community and ward levels.
The APC’s emphasis on grassroots mobilisation also reflects the importance of local political structures in Nigerian elections. Party organisations, community leaders, elected representatives and political appointees can play significant roles in communicating campaign messages and mobilising voters.
However, political rallies and endorsements do not themselves guarantee electoral victory. Ultimately, voters will determine the outcome of the elections through the ballot box.
The APC will therefore face the task of convincing voters that its candidates and policies deserve continued support, while opposition parties will have opportunities to present alternative platforms.
What happens next
With the 2027 elections approaching, further political meetings, consultations and mobilisation activities are expected across Kogi East.
For the APC, the immediate focus is likely to remain on strengthening its internal structure, supporting its candidates and maintaining unity among stakeholders.
The party’s ability to sustain its current mobilisation beyond rallies and translate it into organised grassroots engagement will be an important factor in its preparations for the elections.
For voters in Kogi East, the coming months are expected to bring increased political activity as candidates and parties present their programmes and seek support ahead of the 2027 polls.
The final choice, however, will rest with the electorate.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Kogi State Government — reports on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s grassroots mobilisation directive and APC unity efforts.
- The Guardian — reporting on APC mobilisation in Kogi East and Joseph Ameh Erico’s emergence as the party’s senatorial candidate.
- Punch — reporting on Kogi East’s endorsement of Ododo for a second term.
- The Authority — report on the September 2026 Kogi East mobilisation tour and Erico’s homecoming.
