Former Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Convener of the Coalition for Better Kogi State, Dr Tom Ohikere, has advocated for the rotation of the governorship seat to Kogi West in 2028. He made this statement in a press release in Lokoja, the state capital, on Monday. According to Ohikere, equity and fairness require that the next governor comes from Kogi West, as Kogi East has produced governors for 17 years, while Kogi Central has governed for 10 years.
Ohikere emphasized that his support for power rotation to Kogi West is based on fairness rather than ethnic or sectional interest. As an Ebira man from Okene, he stated that he cannot defend the current imbalance of 17-12-0, where Kogi East and Central have had significant representation, while Kogi West has had none. He believes that the principle of rotation is necessary to promote justice, peace, and political stability in the state.
The former commissioner highlighted that Kogi West has demonstrated sufficient human and economic resources to lead the state. The zone hosts the state capital, Lokoja, as well as major economic assets and diverse communities, which could provide a platform for greater unity among the three senatorial districts. Ohikere's proposal has sparked debate, with some stakeholders likely to oppose the idea of power rotation.
Ohikere rejected the proposed Kogi Unity and Power Rotation Summit scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2026, describing it as a gathering organized by serving government officials rather than a neutral stakeholders' forum. He argued that serving commissioners, special advisers, and senior special assistants cannot objectively moderate a debate on power rotation, as they are beneficiaries of the existing political structure.
The Coalition for Better Kogi State, led by Ohikere, will not participate in the planned summit, which he described as a potential avenue for delaying the discussion on power rotation to Kogi West. Instead, the coalition will organize a "Kogi Equity, Unity and Rotation National Summit" in Abuja in the third week of October 2026, with Kabba proposed as an alternative centre. The summit aims to bring together stakeholders to develop a "Kogi Charter of Equity".
The proposed citizens' summit will seek to develop a charter that will be presented to political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and other stakeholders. Ohikere maintained that political rotation is not a constitutional requirement but argued that zoning and political agreements remain part of Nigeria's political practice. He urged political parties to consider the principle of equity in determining their candidates for the 2028 governorship election.
The debate on power rotation in Kogi State is likely to continue, with stakeholders from different zones weighing in on the proposal. Ohikere's advocacy for Kogi West's turn at the governorship seat has sparked a fresh discussion on the need for equity and fairness in the distribution of power in the state. The outcome of the proposed summit and the eventual decision on power rotation will have significant implications for the state's politics.
Key points
- Dr Tom Ohikere advocates for the rotation of the governorship seat to Kogi West in 2028.
- Ohikere rejects the proposed Kogi Unity and Power Rotation Summit, citing lack of neutrality.
- The Coalition for Better Kogi State will organize a national summit in Abuja to develop a "Kogi Charter of Equity".
