Traditional rulers from Kogi West Senatorial District have rejected Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s plan to seek re-election in 2027, expressing concern that his ambition could deepen division and dissatisfaction in the state.
The monarchs, under the banner of the Okun Leaders League (OLL), criticized the governor for allegedly turning a recent meeting with traditional council chairmen into a political gathering aimed at soliciting their support for his second term instead of addressing the growing insecurity in Okunland.
They accused the governor of neglecting issues such as kidnappings and killings in the region while focusing on political manoeuvring. The group also faulted an alleged arrangement credited to former governor Yahaya Bello, suggesting that Kogi Central would retain power until 2031 before handing it over to Kogi West.
The OLL described this plan as unfair and warned that Kogi State does not belong to any individual or political bloc. They argued that since its creation, the state has struggled with underdevelopment and that both the Bello and Ododo administrations have failed to improve social and economic conditions.
The group urged the governor to concentrate on fulfilling his duties and addressing the state’s challenges rather than lobbying for endorsements. They advised him to prioritize security and governance over political campaigns as he still has two years left in his current term.