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Join for News Updates ✕Kogi 2027: Shaba Ibrahim, Group Renew Call for Power Rotation to Kogi West
Tags: Ahmed Usman Ododo, Kogi Governorship, Kogi politics, Kogi West 2027, Lokoja, Power Rotation, Shaba Ibrahim
By Our Reporter
The debate over political power rotation in Kogi State has intensified as the De-Group Kogi West O’Clock renewed its demand for the governorship to move to Kogi West Senatorial District in 2027.
The group made its position known at a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre in Lokoja on Wednesday.
Former House of Representatives member, Barrister Shaba Ibrahim, who spoke on behalf of the group, said Kogi West stakeholders would continue to demand what they consider a fair opportunity to produce the next governor.
Ibrahim said the agitation had existed across different administrations and was therefore not a new political development.
He recalled that the issue had been discussed during the administrations of former governors Abubakar Audu, Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada.
The group also addressed the recent power-shift summit organised in the state.
Ibrahim said the group accepted the invitation because it expected the summit to provide a platform for dialogue and peaceful engagement.
He alleged, however, that some delegates were intimidated and supporters were harassed.
He further alleged that banners belonging to the group were destroyed.
“We were invited to the summit which was supposed to advocate peace, but some of our delegates were intimidated. Our supporters were harassed and our banners were destroyed.”
Group Separates Re-Election From Power Rotation
Ibrahim acknowledged Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s constitutional right to seek re-election in 2027.
He nevertheless argued that the governor’s constitutional right did not prevent citizens and groups from campaigning for power rotation.
“The Governor has a constitutional right to a second term, but that cannot stop our agitation.”
Alhaji Sulaiman Baba, representing the Dankwo Development Forum, said community organisations backing the agitation were motivated by equity, justice and fairness.
He said the forum submitted seven recommendations at the summit, including a proposal that power rotation should begin with Kogi West in 2027.
Retired Colonel Kabir Ndamadu Mohammed also backed the agitation, describing the alleged events at the summit as “a show of shame.”
The press conference was attended by former NNPCL Director Alhaji Bala Haruna, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Baba, Alhaji Hamisu Nayashi and other stakeholders.
Wider Kogi Power-Rotation Debate
The renewed agitation is taking place against a broader debate over how political power should rotate among Kogi’s three senatorial districts.
Recent reports show that different stakeholder groups have advanced competing positions. Some have advocated for Kogi West to produce the next governor, while other stakeholders have discussed arrangements involving Kogi East and Kogi Central for subsequent election cycles.
The power-rotation question is therefore likely to remain an important issue in discussions surrounding the 2027 Kogi governorship election.
For the De-Group Kogi West O’Clock, however, the position remains unchanged: it wants the governorship to move to Kogi West in 2027.