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, describing it as an attempt to legitimise prolonged political dominance by one senatorial district.
Ohikere, who is the convener of the Coalition for Better Kogi State, said his position on power rotation remained unchanged, insisting that Kogi West should produce the next governor of the state.
In a statement reacting to the summit, which ended on Thursday at K Galaxy Event Centre, Lokoja, Ohikere said he could not defend what he described as the “17-16-0” power distribution among the three senatorial districts.
“As an Ebira man from Okene in Kogi Central, two-term former Commissioner for Information, I cannot defend 17-16-0. My conscience forbids it,” he said.
According to him, 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.
He argued 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 also questioned the legal status of the group that organised the summit, arguing that “Kogi Unity Accord” was not a registered political party or incorporated trustees under Nigerian law.
He said 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, had reinforced concerns over the process.
“That one declaration has confirmed all our fears,” he said.
The former commissioner said 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.
“We are not proposing law that says go to court. We are proposing Kogi Charter of Equity as done in Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, where rotation works by covenant, not by law,” he said.
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 said the proposed charter would ensure that no senatorial district remained out of power for decades, describing the arrangement as a mechanism for promoting equity and political inclusion.
Ohikere further 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, including youths, women, traditional rulers, religious groups, farmers, traders and students, to participate in a proposed Kogi Equity, Unity and Rotation National Summit scheduled for the third week of October in Abuja.
According to him, 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.
“If you believe Kogi is a three-legged stool that cannot stand on two legs, join us,” Ohikere said. From 17-16-0 to 17-16-8 is not charity. It is healing. It is unity. It is justice.”