The convener of the Coalition for Better Kogi State, Dr Tom Ohikere, has questioned the legal status of the Kogi Unity Accord, arguing that the group is neither a registered political party nor an incorporated trusteeship under Nigerian law.
Ohikere, a former commissioner in the state, also faulted the declaration by the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Umar Yusuf, during the recent Kogi Unity and Power Rotation Summit that the legislature would enact a law on power rotation, with those opposed to the arrangement free to seek legal redress.
He said the declaration had reinforced concerns about the process and its implications for political power rotation in the state.
“That one declaration has confirmed all our fears,” Ohikere said.
He explained that the Coalition for Better Kogi State deliberately stayed away from the summit because it believed the initiative would not adequately address the fundamental question of equitable power rotation among the three senatorial districts.
According to him, power rotation should be anchored on a broad-based agreement among the people rather than legislation that could become the subject of litigation.
“We are not proposing a law that says go to court. We are proposing a 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 rotational arrangement under which Kogi West would produce the governor 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 outside the governorship for decades, adding that the arrangement would promote equity, inclusion and political stability in the state.
The Coalition convener also described Kogi West as “Kogi in miniature,” citing its ethnic and cultural diversity, as well as its position as the home of Lokoja, the state capital, and major economic and agricultural corridors.
He called on stakeholders across the three senatorial districts, including youths, women, traditional rulers, religious leaders, farmers, traders and students, to participate in the proposed Kogi Equity, Unity and Rotation National Summit scheduled for the third week of October in Abuja.
He said the proposed summit would deliberate on and draft a Kogi Charter of Equity, which would subsequently be presented 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.”