“Dignify Your Stools, Refuse to Be Used as Agents of Division,” MEKSTA Warns Okun Royal Fathers
The Movement for the Emancipation of Kogi State (MEKSTA) has called on traditional rulers in Okunland to resist any attempt to use them as instruments for political division and destabilisation in their homeland.
In a jointly statement signed by representatives from the nine federal constituencies in Kogi State, including
1. Hon Obafemi Medaiyese (Yagba Federal Constituency constituency)
2. Comrade Joseph Mebatonije (Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency)
3. Alhaji Yusuf Kpareke (Lokoja/Kotonkarfe Federal Constituency)
4. Mallam Jimoh Ozovehe (Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency)
5. Dr Nurudeen Adaviriku (Okene/Ogori-Magongo)
6. Alhaji Isiaka Momoh (Ajaokuta Federal Constituency)
7. Chief Ojonimi Adegbe (Idah/Igalamela-Odolu/Ofu/Ibaji Federal Constituency)
8. Pastor Mark Onucheyo (Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency)
9. Bishop Husseini Saidu (Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency), the group urged the royal fathers to emulate the maturity, wisdom, and impartiality of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ahmed Tijani Anaje, who recently reminded a political aspirant seeking his endorsement that the traditional institution demands neutrality, as royal fathers are expected to serve as fathers to all, not partisans to a few.
MEKSTA made the call against the backdrop of alleged efforts by the Kogi State Government to instigate traditional rulers in Okunland in a bid to create political disaffection among their people.
According to information available to the group, ahead of the formal publication of candidates for National Assembly positions by the All Progressives Congress (APC), forces opposed to the political unification of Kogi West ahead of the 2027 general elections remain active.
MEKSTA alleged that Ahmed Usman Ododo has convened a meeting of traditional rulers from the six Okun-speaking local government areas in the district in Lokoja for June 25 and 26, 2026.
The group further claimed that the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, had been asked to mobilise fellow royal fathers for the meeting, with the aim of circulating allegations against the Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Steve Karimi.
According to MEKSTA, the alleged agenda is linked to a video reportedly sponsored to amplify claims made by some chiefs from Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area, the hometown of Senator Karimi.
The group described the development as a continuation of previous efforts by Governor Ododo to promote Samuel Bamidele Aro, his political ally from Yagba West, as an alternative to Senator Karimi ahead of 2027.
MEKSTA stated that Aro, described as a reluctant aspirant, had withdrawn his senatorial ambition in writing before the APC primary held on May 18, 2026, and publicly pledged support for Karimi.
However, the group alleged that he was later linked to attempts to manipulate and falsify the results of a primary election in which he did not participate.
The organisation expressed concern that rather than uniting the people of Kogi West amid growing insecurity caused by banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks, the state government was allegedly pursuing divisive political interests.
MEKSTA noted that following Governor Ododo’s visit to Kabba-Bunu after the attempted mass abduction of students and teachers, Yagba West has continued to experience recurring security threats.
“At a time like this, the people need empathy, reassurance, and decisive leadership to restore confidence, not the deliberate orchestration of discord and division,” the group stated.
MEKSTA reiterated that many residents of Kogi West admire and respect Senator Karimi for what it described as his selfless and people-oriented representation.
According to the group, the senator has remained accessible, pragmatic, effective, and relatable, delivering meaningful development to the district during his three years in the Senate.
The group added that more than 51,000 APC members across the 85 wards of Kogi West reportedly voted overwhelmingly during the party primary to renew Karimi’s mandate beyond 2027.
“Senator Sunday Karimi remains the choice of the APC in Kogi West to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 general elections, and no external influence can change that,” the statement read.
MEKSTA warned that any attempt to undermine Karimi’s position could weaken the APC’s political strength in Kogi West and jeopardise the unity of the Okun-Yoruba bloc in the multi-ethnic state.
The group further argued that such actions could undermine efforts to strengthen the political influence of the region and diminish opportunities to reciprocate what it described as the goodwill shown by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu toward the people of the area.