2027: Group Insists Power Must Shift to Kogi West

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Degroup Movement has reiterated its demand for the rotation of political power to Kogi West Senatorial District, insisting that the issue should not be subjected to unnecessary debate. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The group made its position known yesterday, during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the spokesperson and former member of the House of Representatives representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, Barrister Shaba Ibrahim, said Degroup remained committed to ensuring that political power rotated to Kogi West.

Shaba said the power-shift summit organised by the Kogi State Government was expected to provide an avenue for dialogue and peaceful discussion on the issue.

He, however, alleged that some members of his delegation were intimidated during the summit, while supporters were allegedly harassed and banners 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,” he alleged.

Shaba said the agitation for power rotation in Kogi State was not a recent development, recalling that the issue had been discussed by previous administrations, including that of the late former Governor Abubakar Audu.

He acknowledged that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has a constitutional right to seek a second term in office, but maintained that such a right would not stop the group’s demand for power rotation.

“The governor has a constitutional right to a second term, but that cannot stop our agitation,” he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Sulaiman Baba, who represented the Danko Development Forum, said community-based organisations supporting the agitation were doing so on the basis of equity, justice and fairness.

Baba said the association submitted seven recommendations to the summit, including a proposal that political power rotation should commence with Kogi West in 2027.

According to him, the objective of the summit, as presented to participants, was to promote peace and dialogue, but he alleged that events at the venue did not reflect the expectations of some participants.

He further alleged that some persons described as thugs destroyed banners belonging to supporters of the power-shift campaign.

Similarly, retired Colonel Kabir Ndamadu described what happened during the state government-organised summit as “a show of shame,” insisting that those supporting power rotation would remain committed to their position despite what he described as harassment.

“What we see today is a show of shame,” he said.

He added that the group would continue to advocate for the rotation of political power to Kogi West.
Ends.