Kogi West Leaders Throw Weight Behind Ododo for 2027, Roll Out New Zonal Task Force to Tackle Banditry
By Femi Andrew
Kogi West political, traditional and community leaders have endorsed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for a second term in 2027 after a major leadership and security summit held on Monday in Kabba, where stakeholders also demanded a stronger security framework across the district.
The meeting drew a broad spectrum of participants, including traditional rulers, academics, political figures, youth leaders and women’s groups. Leading the array of traditional rulers in the district to the event was the revered Oba (Dr) Solomon Dele Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Area traditional council covering the entire five local government of Okunland, including Ówóró people of Lokoja LGA, the Guest Speaker, emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi examined the history and ongoing dynamics of power and leadership struggles in the state, with emphasis on the political trajectory of Kogi West in a topic titled “Kogi West, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
In a communique issued at the end of the summit, participants emphasised that unity, cooperation and strategic engagement are central to the district’s long-term political aspirations. “If politics is truly about who gets what, how, and when, then unity of purpose must guide Kogi West,” the communique stated. The leaders also honoured the contributions of Kogi’s founding political figures, including Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senator Ahmadu Ali, describing them as pillars who shaped the state’s development.
Governor Ododo’s administration received strong commendation for what participants described as significant progress in infrastructure and governance across all senatorial districts. The communique noted that his developmental strides had “changed the physical landscape of Kogi State and brought succour to the citizenry.” They also praised his support for enhancing security, urging further assistance to intelligence networks to curb emerging threats. The summit concluded that Ododo “deserves continuity in office come 2027” and formally endorsed him for re-election.
Looking ahead, the leaders insisted that Kogi West must produce the governor in 2031 after Ododo’s potential second term. They said the district had “waited patiently for 36 years to occupy the Lugard House” and should now be “rewarded unconditionally” with the state’s leadership after the second term of the incumbent Governor in 2031.
Participants condemned recent divisive political comments circulating in the state, describing them as self-serving and harmful to peaceful coexistence. They urged political actors to promote unity rather than inflame tensions.
To implement its resolutions, the summit announced the establishment of a seven-member Council of Kogi West Traditional Rulers to liaise with stakeholders across other districts, a seven-member Eminent Persons Group to lead political consultations, and a Joint Security Task Force across the seven LGAs to enhance intelligence gathering, information sharing and coordinated vigilance to be coordinated by the seven(7) local government Chairmen in Kogi West.
The summit ended with appreciation for organisers and attendees, with leaders noting that the meeting marked an important milestone in Kogi West’s efforts toward unity, improved security and future political advancement.
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