Dr. Tom Ohikere, a former Kogi State Commissioner for Information, 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, who is the 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 Summit, which ended on Thursday at K Galaxy Event Centre, Lokoja, had proposed a power distribution formula that Ohikere described as "17-16-0" among the three senatorial districts. 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 emphasized that Kogi West, which had not produced an elected executive governor since the creation of the state, should be allowed to govern for eight years from 2028.
Ohikere questioned the legal status of the group that organized the summit, arguing that "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. Ohikere stated that this declaration had reinforced his fears over the process.
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. He 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. Ohikere proposed an alternative approach, citing the example of other states that have implemented a charter of equity.
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 the proposed charter as a mechanism for promoting equity and political inclusion. Ohikere emphasized that the arrangement would ensure that no senatorial district remained out of power for decades.
Ohikere described Kogi West as "Kogi in miniature," citing its diversity and its hosting of Lokoja, the state capital, as well as major economic corridors and agricultural belts. He 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 appealed to stakeholders to join the proposed summit, stating that it was an opportunity to promote equity and unity in Kogi State. He emphasized that the proposed charter was not a charity but a healing process, a unity measure, and a justice initiative. Ohikere concluded by stating that the Coalition for Better Kogi State was committed to promoting a fair and equitable distribution of power in the state.
Key points
- Dr. Tom Ohikere rejects the outcome of the Kogi Unity Summit, citing unfair power distribution.
- Ohikere proposes an eight-year rotation formula for Kogi State.
- The proposed Kogi Charter of Equity aims to promote equity and political inclusion.
