By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
A group known as the Kogi Concerned Group has cautioned the Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, against speaking on behalf of the people of Kogi West regarding the political future of the state.
In a statement signed by Omolehin Thaddeus, the group said the council chairman does not represent the democratic culture and values of the people of the district.
The group expressed strong support for Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa, describing him as a capable and credible candidate for the governorship of Kogi State.
The group said it was surprised by Barr. Dare’s alleged endorsement of a “turn-by-turn arrangement” for the governorship in 2027, insisting that the state should instead focus on presenting the most competent candidate.
According to the statement, “We the people of Kogi State agitating for Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa, our agitation is hinged on the profile and capacity to make Kogi State an example, which is the reason for the clamour.”
The group questioned Barr. Dare’s authority to speak for the people of the district, asking, “Who exactly is he deciding for?” It urged him to concentrate on addressing what it described as his poor performance as council chairman rather than making political pronouncements on behalf of the region.
Highlighting Kutepa’s credentials, the group described him as an accomplished oil mogul, entrepreneur and philanthropist with decades of experience in Nigeria’s energy sector.
It noted that he is the leader of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, a firm credited with the successful development of the Ibigwe field in Imo State and the establishment of a 5,000-barrel-per-day modular refinery, with plans to expand production capacity to 40,000 barrels per day.
The statement further noted that Kutepa has served as Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group and has been honoured with the national award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) for his contributions to the country’s energy sector.
According to the group, Kutepa is widely recognised as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, with over three decades of professional experience and recognition as one of the “Movers and Shakers” of 2025.
Beyond his professional achievements, the group also highlighted his philanthropic activities, including support for science education and community development initiatives, as well as projects providing clean water to communities in Kogi State through his foundation.
The group maintained that Kogi State, despite its rich human and natural resources, has struggled with leadership challenges over the years, stressing the need for experienced administrators capable of addressing the state’s developmental issues.
It added that Kutepa possesses the exposure, administrative experience and commitment to human and capital development required to reposition the state.
“Our agitation for a Kutepa governorship is based on good and quality governance, not a turn-by-turn arrangement as suggested by a self-styled individual whose performance as chairman has been a total failure,” the statement said.
The group also challenged Barr. Dare to compare the development of Lokoja, the state capital, with other state capitals in the country and explain the benchmarks he has used to measure his performance.
“The West deserves the best,” the group concluded.
