2027: Poll places Joy Okpainmo of NDP ahead in Apa/Agatu

An online poll conducted by an Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency political advocacy group has placed Barr. Joy Ameh Okpainmo of the National Democratic Party (NDP) ahead of other contenders in the race for the House of Representatives seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The poll, which recorded 1,163 votes, gave Okpainmo 522 votes, representing 44.88 per cent, placing her ahead of Joseph Adama of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 281 votes, representing 24.16 per cent.

Nelson Apochi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) came third with 195 votes, representing 16.77 per cent, while Engr. Solomon Eiege of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 111 votes, representing 9.54 per cent.

Other names listed in the poll included Chief Matthew Inalegwu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Major Kenneth Obiabo (rtd.) of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Jeffrey Isima of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Ngbede Baba Akpode of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The result has added to the growing attention around Okpainmo’s 2027 ambition and her campaign for what she describes as quality representation for the people of Apa/Agatu.
Okpainmo’s political journey has taken her through different stages of public service and party politics.

Before entering the current race, she served as a legislative aide to Senator Abba Moro, who represents Benue South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Her period working with the senator also brought her into constituency and legislative activities in Benue South, including interventions targeted at communities in Apa Local Government Area.

One of the projects associated with Senator Moro’s constituency interventions was the electrification of Ofoke-Ojope communities in Apa LGA, a project listed in documentation of rural electrification projects in the constituency.

For residents of Ofoke-Ojope, the intervention became one of the examples frequently cited in discussions about the impact of constituency representation in the area.

Okpainmo’s supporters have also pointed to her role within Senator Moro’s office and her involvement in pushing community interests as part of the experience she is bringing into the 2027 contest.

Her legislative experience is also central to her current campaign. Okpainmo has said she worked closely with lawmakers and policymakers during her years in the National Assembly and contributed to legislative documents, including work she says culminated in the establishment of the North Central Development Commission.

She later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in her bid for the Apa/Agatu seat. The party’s Benue State leadership subsequently declared its May 2026 primary in the constituency invalid following allegations surrounding the exercise. Okpainmo challenged the process, and she later emerged as the NDP candidate for the 2027 election.

Her campaign has since focused on experience, legislative competence, women’s participation, youth empowerment and the argument that Apa/Agatu needs effective representation.

The latest online poll, however, should be viewed within that context: it was an advocacy-group online poll, not an official election result or an independently conducted scientific opinion poll.
In an earlier interview with Idoma Voice, Okpainmo said her decision to seek the seat was driven by “passion, competence, and experience,” stressing that her years of working in the National Assembly had given her an understanding of the legislative process.
She said she spent six to seven years working in the National Assembly, where she drafted legislative documents and provided legal services.
“I have worked in the National Assembly for six to seven years under senior leadership, drafting legislative documents and rendering legal services. I am competent and experienced, and I decided to run to preserve the place of my people,” she said.