A major political realignment is brewing in Benue State as the people of Okpoga have officially declared their intention to produce the next Member of the House of Representatives for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, ending what they describe as decades of political marginalization.
The declaration came during the maiden town hall meeting organized by the Okpoga Now Movement held at Millennium Plaza, Ugwu Okpoga, where stakeholders across political parties, community leaders and aspirants converged to deliberate on the political future of the constituency.
In a strongly worded resolution, the gathering concluded that Okpogaās turn to produce the federal lawmaker is overdue, citing fairness, equity and justice as the core reasons behind the demand.
According to the convener, Hon. Omaga Omaga, the administrative headquarters of the constituency has been sidelined since Nigeriaās return to democracy in 1999, despite its strategic political and administrative importance.
āThis long-standing imbalance must be corrected. Okpoga has waited patiently for over two decades. The time has come for justice, inclusion and fairness,ā Omaga declared while addressing participants.
The town hall meeting attracted an unusual gathering of aspirants across political divides, signaling a growing consensus around the Okpoga agenda. Among those present were Hon. Dr. Richard Ejoha, Rt. Hon. Anthony Agom, Hon. Dr. JohnāMary Idoko, Hon. Dr. Ralph Otobo Odoh and Hon. Chief Okoriko Abah.
Other aspirants including Hon. Williams Obande Obeya and Hon. Idankpo Christian were reportedly absent due to prior official engagements, though their names featured prominently in discussions.
Also in attendance was respected community leader Hon. Vincent Okoko Odoh, the President-General of Okpudu Clan, alongside party leaders, former councillors, youth organizations and community influencers who unanimously backed the Okpoga agenda.
The meeting further adopted the Okpoga Now Movement as the central platform to coordinate political mobilization ahead of party primaries. This development signals a coordinated grassroots strategy aimed at ensuring Okpoga candidates emerge victorious across major political parties.
Stakeholders at the meeting urged sons and daughters of Okpoga both at home and in the diaspora to immediately commence grassroots mobilization ahead of party primaries, describing the exercise as the āreal battlefieldā that will determine the constituencyās political future.
Participants emphasized that unity across party lines would be critical, noting that once party primaries are concluded, Okpoga leaders must rally behind all successful candidates of Okpoga extraction regardless of political affiliation.
The resolution also extended a diplomatic appeal to voters and leaders across Ado Local Government Area, Okpokwu Local Government Area and Ogbadibo Local Government Area to support what they described as a ānoble aspirationā aimed at strengthening unity and political inclusion.
Observers say the development could significantly reshape the political dynamics of the constituency ahead of the 2027 elections, especially as aspirants from Okpoga appear increasingly aligned under a common agenda.
The town hall ended with appreciation to individuals and groups who supported the meeting financially and morally, while organizers pledged sustained engagement with stakeholders until the aspiration becomes reality.
With political temperatures already rising, the Okpoga declaration has now thrown the race for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency wide open ā setting the stage for what may become one of the most intense grassroots political battles in Benue State ahead of 2027.
For Okpoga, the message is clear: after 26 years, the wait is over ā and the push for power has officially begun.