The Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi Central Senatorial District has appointed Dr Salami Etudaiye as Director-General of its 2027 campaign organisation, with Abubakar Karaku emerging as Campaign Chairman.

The duo were inaugurated on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the campaign organisation held under the leadership of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the party commenced preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The development was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s media aide, Mike Idoko, on Monday night.

The newly inaugurated campaign team was mandated to embark on an aggressive grassroots mobilisation strategy aimed at securing victory for all PDP candidates in the senatorial district.

Other members of the campaign organisation include Jacob Anebe (Secretary); Ilyasu Zubair (Head of Operations); Isiaka Uhuanaye (Head of Technicals); and Jane Onoba (Head of Welfare).

Speaking at the inauguration, Akpoti-Uduaghan charged the campaign team to work tirelessly towards the success of all PDP candidates in Kogi Central, stressing that the party’s campaign must be firmly rooted in the grassroots.

She said the campaign should go beyond conventional rallies by prioritising direct engagement with voters through sustained mobilisation.

She said, “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 also urged the campaign organisation to accommodate anyone willing to contribute to the party’s success, regardless 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 stated.

Akpoti-Uduaghan further urged the campaigners to demonstrate discipline, unity and commitment, ensuring that all wards and polling units were adequately covered.

She stressed that the election would require the collective efforts of party leaders, women, youths, ward executives, campaign coordinators, volunteers and other stakeholders.

In his acceptance speech, Etudaiye described his appointment as a sacred responsibility, pledging to deploy his experience, energy and organisational capacity towards delivering victory for the PDP.

He said, “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.”

Etudaiye said his appointment was not merely ceremonial but a mandate to build a formidable political structure across the senatorial district.

“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.”

He said the campaign would cover every part of Kogi Central, including Okene, Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi and Ogori-Mangongo Local Governments with particular focus on 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 to unite behind the campaign, stressing that victory would depend on organisation, mobilisation, unity and discipline.

He also urged women and youths to take active roles in the campaign, describing women as the backbone of the party and youths as indispensable to modern political mobilisation.

Etudaiye pledged to lead the campaign with transparency and competence while remaining focused 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.”

Also speaking, Karaku congratulated members of the newly inaugurated campaign organisation and urged PDP stakeholders to place the interests of the party and the people above personal considerations.

He called for unity, peaceful political engagement and positive campaigning, warning against 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 noted.

Karaku urged party members to take the campaign to the grassroots and engage voters with facts, programmes, achievements and the aspirations of the party.

“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.”

He also charged ward leaders, polling-unit coordinators, women and youth leaders, volunteers and other campaign operatives to work as one team.

He said, “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.”