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Stakeholders from Kogi State’s three senatorial districts have reached broad agreement on the need for political power rotation, with the majority view at the maiden Kogi jState Power Rotation Summit favouring the continuation of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for a second term before the rotation takes effect in 2032.
The position formed part of the resolutions reached at the two-day summit held on Wednesday 30th of September, and Thursday 1st of October, 2026 at the Kay Galaxy Event Centre in Lokoja, under the theme, “Retooling Kogi for Unity, Equity and Shared Prosperity.”
The summit, convened by the Kogi Unity Accord, brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, community and socio-cultural organisations, professionals, organised labour, youths, students and civil society representatives.
In its communiqué issued at the end of the summit on October 1, the majority of the views as expressed by the participants supported an eight-year rotational arrangement. They also canvassed the commencement date to begin in 2032, this will allow enough time for legislation, wider consultation and legal framework and at which time the incumbent governor is expected to have conclude his constitutionally guaranteed second term in office.
The communiqué, however, said the proposed arrangement would require further consultations, consensus-building and compliance with constitutional, electoral and democratic processes.
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.
It also stressed that rotation should not displace considerations of competence, integrity, capacity, accountability and leadership ability.
“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.
The summit further recommended the development of a broad-based framework for political inclusion and equitable participation involving the three senatorial districts and other stakeholders.
It also called for the proposed framework to be subjected to further consultations across Kogi East, Kogi Central and Kogi West before a final position is adopted.
Despite the majority position supporting the commencement of rotation in 2032, some delegates and organisations advocated an earlier transfer of power to Kogi West.
President of the Okun Development Association, Amb. Rotimi Akenson, made a strong argument for the aspiration for a governor of Okun ethnic extraction upon the expiration of the tenure of the current governor.
Akenson argued that Kogi West had not produced a governor since the creation of the state and maintained that the zone should 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 the incumbent governor’s tenure, with political power moving to Kogi West.
The CAN representative also expressed a preference for a Christian governor, saying such an arrangement would address what the organisation described as ethnic and religious considerations.
The positions were among several views presented during the summit, with participants differing on the timing and structure of power rotation.
A major development at the summit came from the Kogi State House of Assembly, with Speaker Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf announcing that the legislature was prepared to pass legislation providing a framework for power rotation.
Yusuf said the issue would require careful deliberation and responsibility, adding that opinion and views of all stakeholders would be considered while legislating on it.
The proposed legislation, if introduced and enacted, would move the power-rotation debate from political convention, conversation and advocacy towards a formal institutional framework.
The communiqué also acknowledged, however, 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 (Rtd.), urged stakeholders to pursue political dialogue without compromising the peace of the state.
The governor said Kogi’s diversity should be treated as a source of strength and called on stakeholders to build trust, promote peace and inclusive dialogue as the state approaches another electoral cycle.
Ododo also urged young people to reject political violence and encouraged stakeholders to pursue peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue.
The summit chairman, Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi (Rtd.), 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.
The former deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Sir Kehinde Ejibunu, who was a participant at the summit also urged stakeholders to consider the political aspirations of minority groups while pursuing power-sharing arrangements.
“We want the state to be together; we don’t want it to be set ablaze,” he said.
Among other resolutions, 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.
Traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths, professional groups, political actors and community organisations were urged to remain involved in the process.
The summit further resolved that minority tribes and communities should be protected from political marginalisation and that elective and political appointments should reflect the principle of equitable representation and spirit of Federal character.
The communiqué stressed that the summit’s resolutions should serve as the beginning of a sustained process rather than the conclusion of the debate.
With the majority view favouring an eight-year rotation beginning in 2032, alongside competing calls for an earlier shift to Kogi West, the summit has placed the timing and structure of political succession at the centre of Kogi’s emerging political debate.
