Outcome of Kogi Unity And Power Rotation Summit Confirmed our earlier fears- Dr Tom Ohikere
My attention has been drawn to the summit organized by a group calling itself Kogi Unity Accord that ended yesterday 1st October 2026 at K Galaxy Event Centre Lokoja.
I have watched the clips, including the declaration by Mr Speaker that House of Assembly will pass law on power rotation and whoever is not comfortable should go to court. That one declaration has confirmed all our fears.
My Position Is Unchanged.
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.
Kogi East 17 years, Kogi Central 10 years today and 16 years by 2032 if we allow 8 years for my brother Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Kogi West 0 year as Executive Governor since creation. You cannot defend 17-16-0 before God and before history.
That Summit Was Not A Unity Summit.
First, Kogi Unity Accord is not a name known to Nigerian law. It is not registered as political party by INEC. The only Accord known to law is Accord Party. It is not registered as Incorporated Trustees by Corporate Affairs Commission under CAMA 2020. CAC does not register political pressure groups. It has no juristic personality and cannot bind Kogi State.
Second, its real purpose is now clear. It was staged to legitimize 10 years going to 16 years for one zone and postpone Kogi West indefinitely.
Third, you cannot be beneficiary of 16 years and at same time be moderator of who gets it next. Nemo judex in causa sua. You cannot be judge in your own cause.
Fourth, and most shameful: A unity summit that ended in physical combat. Credible reports and video clips from K Galaxy Event Centre show that organizers engaged in physical fight with a group from Kogi West who challenged the pre-written communique. How can you preach unity with blows? How can you beat the very West you claim to want to unite? A summit that cannot tolerate dissent cannot preach unity. It has exposed itself as intolerance forum, not unity forum.
That is why I and the Coalition for Better Kogi State did not attend. If the conveners are sincere, let them resign their appointments and convene as ordinary citizens.
The Only Viable Platform Remains Coalition for Better Kogi State.
We are not a West group. We are Kogi conscience group convened by me, a son of Central, demanding justice for West. That is why we are viable. That is why we are trusted across East, Central and West.
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.
Our Charter will say: No zone will ever do 16 years back to back again. West 2028-2036 8 years, East 2036-2044 8 years, Central 2044-2052 8 years, then cycle continues. No 48 year wait for any zone.
CONCLUSION: MY INVITATION TO ALL WELL MEANING KOGITES.
I now invite all well meaning Kogites at home and in diaspora, East, Central and West, Christians and Muslims, youth, women, elders, farmers, traders and students, to support the Coalition for Better Kogi State to correct the anomalies inherent in our 27 year journey.
Kogi West is not asking for charity. Kogi West is Kogi in miniature. It hosts Lokoja our capital for 34 years without asking for Governor, hosts Obajana, Kabba Lokoja Abuja corridor, Yagba cashew belt, and is home to Okun, Oworo, Bassa Gbagyi, Ebira Koto and Nupe. Only West can truly unite Kogi.
Join us at our genuine Kogi Equity, Unity and Rotation National Summit in third week of October 2026 in Abuja with Kabba as viewing centre, where we will draft the Kogi Charter of Equity together and present it to all political parties, INEC and our royal fathers Attah Igala, Ohinoyi, Obaro of Kabba and Ohimegye.
If you believe Kogi is a three legged stool that cannot stand on two legs, join us.
From 17-16-0 to 17-16-8 is not charity. It is healing. It is unity. It is justice.
Dr Tom Ohikere
Convener, Coalition for Better Kogi State
2nd October 2026
