Former Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Dr Tom Ohikere, has called for the rotation of the governorship to Kogi West in 2028. He argued that equity and fairness require the zone to produce the next governor. Ohikere, who is the convener of the Coalition for Better Kogi State, made the call in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Monday. He emphasized that his support for power rotation to Kogi West was based on fairness rather than ethnic or sectional interest.
According to Ohikere, Kogi East had produced governors for 17 years, while Kogi Central had governed for 10 years, leaving Kogi West without a year in the governorship since the creation of the state. He said, “As an Ebira man from Okene, I cannot defend 17-12-0. My conscience forbids it.” Ohikere noted that his zone, Kogi Central, did 8 years under Yahaya Bello and is doing 2 years plus under Usman Ododo, totaling 10 years, and 12 years by January 2028.
Ohikere said power rotation was necessary to promote justice, peace, and political stability in the state. He added that Kogi West had sufficient human and economic resources to govern the state. Kogi West, which hosts the state capital, Lokoja, as well as major economic assets and diverse communities, could provide a platform for greater unity among the three senatorial districts.
Ohikere also rejected the proposed Kogi Unity and Power Rotation Summit scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2026. He described it as a gathering being organized by serving government officials rather than a neutral stakeholders’ forum. Ohikere argued that serving commissioners, special advisers, and senior special assistants could not objectively moderate a debate on power rotation because they were beneficiaries of the existing political structure.
The former commissioner said the Coalition for Better Kogi State would not participate in the planned summit, describing it as a potential avenue for delaying the discussion on power rotation to Kogi West. Instead, the coalition would organize a “Kogi Equity, Unity and Rotation National Summit” in Abuja in the third week of October 2026, with Kabba proposed as an alternative viewing center.
The proposed citizens’ summit would bring together stakeholders, particularly from Kogi East and Kogi West, as well as individuals from Kogi Central who support equity. The summit would seek to develop a “Kogi Charter of Equity” to be presented to political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other stakeholders. Ohikere maintained that political rotation was not a constitutional requirement but argued that zoning and political agreements remained part of Nigeria’s political practice.
Ohikere urged political parties to consider the principle of equity in determining their candidates for the 2028 governorship election. He said, “Kogi East has governed. Kogi Central has governed. Kogi West has not. That is history.” The former commissioner emphasized that his call for power rotation to Kogi West was based on fairness and equity, rather than ethnic or sectional interest.
Key points
- Former Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Dr Tom Ohikere, calls for the rotation of the governorship 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 plans to organize a “Kogi Equity, Unity and Rotation National Summit” in Abuja in October 2026.
