A political advocacy group in Kogi State has endorsed Okutepa Usman Danladi for the Kogi East senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was announced in Abuja by the Kogi East Political and Good Governance Group (KEPGGG), which said the decision followed consultations within the district and a review of local political dynamics.

According to the group, its position reflects concerns about representation across the three federal constituencies that make up Kogi East. It noted that the area had historically produced governors of the state before power shifted to the central senatorial district in 2015.

KEPGGG said the development altered the balance of political influence in the state, with implications for the district’s visibility in governance.

The group also referenced the distribution of senatorial representation within Kogi East. It stated that Dekina/Bassa federal constituency would have completed 18 years in the Senate by the end of the current cycle, while Ankpa federal constituency has had eight years of representation. Idah federal constituency, it added, has yet to produce a senator.

On that basis, the group said there is a case for what it described as a more equitable rotation of representation among the constituencies.

In its statement, KEPGGG described Danladi, who leads DABAH Homes Limited, as a candidate with experience in business and engagement at the community level. It said these attributes informed its endorsement.

The group also urged political parties to consider competence and experience in their candidate selection processes, rather than what it termed proxy politics.

It added that its position is not aligned to any political party and is intended to contribute to discussions around representation and development within the district.

There has been no official response from other potential contenders for the seat. As political activity gradually builds ahead of the 2027 elections, endorsements by local groups are expected to shape early alignments within constituencies.