By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The Coalition for a Better Kogi State has called for the rotation of the governorship to Kogi West Senatorial District in 2027, saying the time has come for fairness, justice and equity in the distribution of political power in the state.
The coalition made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by its Convener, Dr. Tom Ohikere.
Ohikere said the agitation for power rotation was not motivated by tribal, religious or partisan considerations, but by the need to promote fairness, peaceful coexistence and good governance across the three senatorial districts.
According to him, Kogi East produced the governor for 17 years between 1999 and 2016, while Kogi Central has remained in power since 2016 and would have completed 12 years by 2028.
He noted that Kogi West, on the other hand, had not produced an elected governor within the period, apart from the 51 days when Rt. Hon. Clarence Olafemi served as Acting Governor.
He described the situation as an imbalance that required urgent correction.
“Can we, in good conscience, say this is fair? No,” Ohikere said, arguing that Kogi West had waited for decades for an opportunity to lead the state.
The coalition therefore proposed an “8-8-8” rotational arrangement, under which each of the three senatorial districts would have an opportunity to govern the state for eight years.
“The principle is simple: 8 years East, 8 years Central, 8 years West. 8-8-8 for all,” the statement declared.
Ohikere said supporting Kogi West in 2027 should not be interpreted as opposition to Kogi Central or Kogi East, stressing that the objective was to build a more united and equitable Kogi State.
He maintained that continued exclusion of Kogi West from the governorship could deepen divisions and create a perception that political power was about “capture” rather than service.
The coalition also highlighted challenges confronting Kogi West, including poor road infrastructure, insecurity affecting agricultural activities and limited opportunities for young people.
It called on stakeholders to give the district the opportunity to provide leadership in 2027 and contribute to addressing challenges across the state, particularly in the areas of security, roads, agriculture and education.
Addressing Kogi West residents, Ohikere said the coalition was approaching them not to dictate terms but to present what it described as a common agenda for good governance.
He also appealed to people in Kogi Central and Kogi East to support the power rotation arrangement, urging them to make history by choosing fairness and peace over political exclusion.
“Let us be remembered as the generation that chose fairness over selfishness, and peace over conflict,” he said.
The coalition declared that the politics of exclusion should give way to a system that gives every senatorial district a fair opportunity to govern.
“The time for politics of exclusion is over. The time for fairness is now,” Ohikere said.
The statement ended with a firm political declaration: “In 2027, West must have power. For Kogi. For peace. For our children.”
