Stories by Paul Effiong, Abuja
Thirty five years after the creation of Kogi State on August 27, 1991, concerned indigenes under the auspices of Kogi West Liberation Movement has bemoaned the continuous alienation of the area from the gubernatorial contest.
In a statement Wednesday, the Coordinator, Kogi West Liberation Movement, Gowon Yakubu, called on citizens of the district to “wake up” and re-strategise ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The statement quoted Yakubu as saying that leaders and stakeholders from the area have voiced strong dissatisfaction over decades of political exclusion from the office of the governor.
According to the group, the persistent absence of a governor from the district has created a growing perception of inequality among the state’s diverse population.
The group also noted that while Kogi West had frequently produced speakers of the House of Assembly or served as deputy governor, such roles amount to what they termed a “spare tyre” status.
The people noted that these positions, though important, fall short of full executive leadership and do not reflect the district’s significant contributions to electoral victories and governance in the state.
This pattern has fostered a sense of “first-class” and “second-class” citizenship within the state, the group noted.
Economic data cited by advocates indicate that Kogi West contributes between 55 and 60 percent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, making it historically one of the highest contributors to the state’s economic base.
Despite this, they alleged that the district has suffered long-term political stagnation.
The group described the situation as unfair and unacceptable, emphasizing that economic strength should translate into equitable political representation.
It would be recalled that Kogi State was founded on a tripod arrangement comprising Kogi West, Kogi East and Kogi Central Senatorial Districts.
Critics argue that only Kogi West is yet to produce a democratically elected governor since the state’s inception.
They warned that the current political trend suggests dominance by a particular district, a development which they say could undermine democratic inclusiveness and unity if not addressed.
The group also declared that previous informal agreements on power rotation have failed to deliver results and insisted that “Kogi West for Governor 2027 is sacrosanct.”
However, Kogi West Liberation Movement called for unity, justice and equity, urging stakeholders across the state to embrace inclusive governance for lasting peace and development.
