Stakeholders from Kogi State’s three senatorial districts have backed an eight-year rotational arrangement for political power, with the majority favouring its commencement in 2032 after the completion of Governor Usman Ododo’s second term.
The position was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the maiden Kogi State Power Rotation Summit held on Wednesday and Thursday in Lokoja.
The two-day summit, convened by the Kogi Unity Accord under the theme, “Retooling Kogi for Unity, Equity and Shared Prosperity,” brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, community and socio-cultural organisations, professionals, organised labour, youths, students and civil society representatives.
According to the communiqué obtained by our correspondent on Friday, the majority of views expressed at the summit supported an eight-year rotational arrangement, with 2032 proposed as the commencement date.
The stakeholders said the proposed timeline would provide sufficient opportunity for legislation, wider consultation and the development of an appropriate legal framework, while allowing the incumbent governor to complete his constitutionally guaranteed second term.
The summit recognised power rotation as a possible mechanism for promoting fairness, unity, peaceful coexistence and a stronger sense of belonging among the people of the state.
“The Summit recognised that power rotation could serve as a mechanism for promoting fairness, unity, peaceful coexistence and a stronger sense of belonging among the people of Kogi State,” the communiqué stated.
It, however, stressed that rotation should not displace considerations of competence, integrity, capacity, accountability and leadership ability.
The summit recommended the development of a broad-based framework for political inclusion and equitable participation involving the three senatorial districts.
It further called for consultations across Kogi East, Kogi Central and Kogi West before a final position on the proposed arrangement is adopted.
Despite the majority position favouring commencement in 2032, some delegates and organisations advocated an earlier transfer of power to Kogi West after the expiration of the incumbent governor’s tenure.
The President of the Okun Development Association, Rotimi Akenson, argued that Kogi West had not produced a governor since the creation of the state and should therefore be considered in the next phase of political succession.
Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria, through its representative, supported an equitable rotational arrangement beginning after the expiration of Ododo’s tenure, with political power moving to Kogi West.
The CAN representative also expressed a preference for a Christian governor, linking the position to ethnic and religious considerations.
A major development at the summit was the position of the Kogi State House of Assembly, with its Speaker, Aliyu Yusuf, announcing that the legislature was prepared to enact legislation providing a framework for power rotation.
Yusuf said the issue would require careful deliberation and that the views of all stakeholders would be considered in the legislative process.
The proposed legislation, if introduced and enacted, would provide an institutional framework for an issue that has largely been driven by political convention, advocacy and stakeholder consultations.
The communiqué acknowledged that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not expressly prescribe rotation of governorship among senatorial districts.
It therefore recommended that any eventual arrangement must operate through lawful political, democratic and institutional processes.
Governor Ododo, represented at the summit by Commodore Jerry Omodara (retd.), urged stakeholders to pursue political dialogue without compromising the peace of the state.
He called on stakeholders to treat Kogi’s diversity as a source of strength and promote trust, peace and inclusive dialogue as the state approaches another electoral cycle.
The governor also urged youths to reject political violence and encouraged stakeholders to pursue peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue.
The summit chairman, Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi (retd.), described the dialogue as important to Kogi’s political development and called for a structured framework capable of promoting inclusion and reducing political tensions and tribal rivalry.
A participant at the summit and former Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Sir Kehinde Ejibunu, also urged stakeholders to consider the political aspirations of minority groups in pursuing power-sharing arrangements.
“We want the state to be together; we don’t want it to be set ablaze,” he said.
The summit proposed the development of a Kogi Charter of Equity and Inclusion to guide political participation, peaceful engagement and representation across the state.
It also recommended the establishment of a follow-up mechanism, expansion of the Kogi Unity Accord, creation of zonal structures and further consultations across the three senatorial districts.
The stakeholders further resolved that minority tribes and communities should be protected from political marginalisation, while elective and political appointments should reflect equitable representation and the spirit of federal character.
The communiqué stressed that the resolutions should mark the beginning of a sustained process rather than the conclusion of the debate on power rotation in Kogi State.
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