A former Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Tom Ohikere, has rejected the outcome of the Kogi Unity and Power Rotation Summit held in Lokoja. He described the summit as an attempt to legitimize prolonged political dominance by one senatorial district. Ohikere, convener of the Coalition for Better Kogi State, stated that his position on power rotation remained unchanged, insisting that Kogi West should produce the next governor of the state.
The Kogi Unity and Power Rotation Summit, which took place from Wednesday to Thursday in Lokoja, had proposed a power distribution formula of 17-16-0 among the three senatorial districts. Ohikere expressed concerns over this arrangement, stating that as an Ebira man from Okene in Kogi Central, he could not defend what he described as an unfair distribution. He argued that Kogi East had produced governors for 17 years, while Kogi Central had governed for 10 years and could spend 16 years by 2032 if Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo completes two terms.
Ohikere questioned the legal status of the group that organized the summit, arguing that the "Kogi Unity Accord" was not a registered political party or incorporated trustees under Nigerian law. He also cited the declaration by the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly that the legislature would pass a law on power rotation, with those opposed free to seek legal redress, as a concern over the process. According to Ohikere, this declaration confirmed all their fears about the summit's intentions.
The former commissioner stated that the Coalition for Better Kogi State deliberately stayed away from the summit because it believed the initiative did not adequately address the question of equitable power rotation. Ohikere maintained that political power rotation should be based on a broad-based agreement among the people rather than legislation that could be subjected to litigation. He proposed a Kogi Charter of Equity, similar to those in Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, where rotation works by covenant, not by law.
Ohikere proposed an eight-year rotation formula under which Kogi West would govern from 2028 to 2036, followed by Kogi East from 2036 to 2044 and Kogi Central from 2044 to 2052. He described this arrangement as a mechanism for promoting equity and political inclusion, ensuring that no senatorial district remained out of power for decades. Ohikere also highlighted Kogi West's diversity and its hosting of Lokoja, the state capital, as well as major economic corridors and agricultural belts.
The former commissioner invited stakeholders across the three senatorial districts to participate in a proposed Kogi Equity, Unity and Rotation National Summit scheduled for the third week of October in Abuja. The proposed summit would draft a Kogi Charter of Equity for presentation to political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and traditional rulers across the state. Ohikere encouraged stakeholders to join them, stating that the proposed charter would bring healing, unity, and justice to the state.
Ohikere emphasized that the proposed charter was not a charity but a necessary step towards ensuring equity and justice in Kogi State. He described Kogi West as "Kogi in miniature," citing its diversity and significant contributions to the state. The Coalition for Better Kogi State's proposal has sparked a renewed debate about power rotation and equity in Kogi State, ahead of the 2027 election.
Key points
- Dr. Tom Ohikere rejects the Kogi Unity Summit outcome, citing unfair power distribution.
- Ohikere proposes an eight-year rotation formula for Kogi State.
- The Coalition for Better Kogi State plans to draft a Kogi Charter of Equity.
