The convener of the Coalition for Better Kogi State, Dr Tom Ohikere, and the convener of the Igala/Bassa Youth United Youth Forum, Ojochenemi Abubakar, have questioned the legal status of the Kogi Unity Accord and opposed a proposed law on governorship rotation.
Speaking to The Bureau Journal, the two conveners argued that the group was neither a registered political party nor registered under an incorporated trusteeship arrangement.
They also criticised a declaration they attributed to the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Yusuf, at the recent Kogi Unity and Power Rotation Summit that the legislature would enact a power-rotation law, with opponents free to seek legal redress.
“That one declaration has confirmed all our fears,” Ohikere said.
Conveners seek agreement rather than legislation
The conveners said their groups deliberately stayed away from the summit because they believed the initiative would not adequately address equitable power rotation among Kogi’s three senatorial districts.
They rejected agreements or decisions purportedly made on behalf of the Okun and Igala people.
Ohikere argued that power rotation should rest on a broad-based agreement among the people rather than legislation that could become the subject of litigation.
“We are not proposing a law that says go to court. We are proposing a Kogi Charter of Equity, as done in Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, where rotation works by covenant, not by law,” he said.
Proposed rotation begins with Kogi West
Ohikere proposed an eight-year rotational arrangement beginning with Kogi West, followed by Kogi East and Kogi Central.
| Senatorial district | Proposed governorship period |
|---|---|
| Kogi West | 2028–2036 |
| Kogi East | 2036–2044 |
| Kogi Central | 2044–2052 |
He said the proposed charter would prevent any district from remaining outside the governorship for decades and promote equity, inclusion and political stability.
Describing Kogi West as “Kogi in miniature,” Ohikere cited its ethnic and cultural diversity, its inclusion of Lokoja, the state capital, and its economic and agricultural corridors.
Abuja summit planned for October
Ohikere invited stakeholders from all three districts to a proposed Kogi Equity, Unity and Rotation National Summit scheduled for the third week of October in Abuja.
He said participants would include youths, women, traditional rulers, religious leaders, farmers, traders and students.
Discussions about community cohesion have also featured in The Bureau Journal’s coverage of Admiral Usman Jibrin’s call for unity at the Idah reconciliation summit and Kogi’s participation in the Kwararafa Development Forum summit. Those gatherings are separate from the proposed power-rotation summit.
According to Ohikere, the October gathering would deliberate on and draft a Kogi Charter of Equity for subsequent presentation to political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission and traditional rulers across the state.
“If you believe Kogi is a three-legged stool that cannot stand on two legs, join us,” he said.
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