Toba Owojaiye reporting
Lokoja, Kogi
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) document has appeared which detailed an agreement between the People of Kogi East Senatorial District and Kogi West Senatorial District for the purpose of winning the election.
This signals a pivotal shift in political dynamics.
The purported agreement, formalized on the 5th day of November 2023, outlines a commitment to transfer gubernatorial power from Kogi East to Kogi West after the completion of Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka’s two-term tenure, provided he emerges victorious in the November 2023 governorship election under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The signatories of this historic pact are the representatives of the Igala Cultural and Development Association (ICDA), representing the People of Kogi East Senatorial District, referred to as “The First Party,” and the representatives of Okun Development Association (ODA) along with other Kogi West Leaders of Thought, collectively known as “The Second Party.”
The MOU begins by acknowledging Kogi State’s creation in 1991, which marked the inception of 27 years of civilian administration.
It highlights the state’s division into three Senatorial Districts: Kogi Central, Kogi East, and Kogi West, a standard practice in Nigeria for democratic governance.
Crucially, the agreement underscores the historical imbalance in gubernatorial representation, pointing out that the Kogi East Senatorial District has produced three out of the four elected civilian governors since the state’s creation.
The governors from the East have collectively served 19 years in office, with the incumbent, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, poised to complete eight years in the coming months. In contrast, the Kogi West Senatorial District has not seen any representation in the governorship position, depicting a perceived disadvantage for the western part of the state.
The MOU reflects a consensus among the signatories that a power shift is essential to address this perceived imbalance.
If Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka secures victory in the November 2023 governorship election, he is bound by the agreement to pave the way for a governor from Kogi West after completing two terms.
This agreement marks a significant step towards fostering unity and equal representation among the diverse senatorial districts in Kogi State.
It also sets a precedent for a more inclusive and balanced political landscape, promoting fairness and shared governance.
As the state gears up for the forthcoming election, the political landscape is poised for transformation, guided by this groundbreaking MOU between the People of Kogi East and Kogi West Senatorial Districts.
Efforts to reach the corresponding stakeholders has not yielded fruit.
Truth Live News will keep you posted.