Kogi 2027: Ex-Army Chief Backs Power Rotation, Seeks Equity, Inclusion

A former Chief of Defence Intelligence, Vice-Admiral Joseph Ajayi (retd.), has backed political rotation in Kogi State, saying it would promote equity, inclusion, unity and shared prosperity across the state.

Ajayi said the principle of power rotation was aimed at fostering constructive engagement among political stakeholders and citizens on a fair and balanced approach to political leadership in the state.

He spoke yesterday in the Kogi State capital ahead of an event with the theme, “Rotation Kogi for Unity & Shared Prosperity.”

According to him, power rotation should not be reduced to the sharing of political offices among the different sections of the state, but should ensure that all parts of Kogi have a sense of belonging and meaningful opportunities to participate in leadership.

Ajayi said, “The issue of rotation goes beyond the sharing of political offices. It is about ensuring that every part of Kogi State has a sense of belonging and meaningful opportunities to participate in leadership.”

He said the initiative would promote fairness, inclusion, mutual trust and political stability, adding, however, that rotation must be complemented by competence, integrity, accountability and capacity.

The former intelligence chief stressed that leaders must demonstrate commitment to improving the welfare of the people, saying political inclusion should ultimately translate into tangible development for residents.

The event is being led by Special Apostle Adebayo Emmanuel, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi State, and Sheikh Salman Adam, Chief Imam of Ankpa and Chairman of the Council of Ulamau, Kogi State.

Also expected to lend their traditional leadership to the event are HRM Alaji Mathew Opaluwa Attah of Igala, HRM Alhaji Tijani Mohammed Anaje, Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, and HRM Oba (Dr) Solomon Owoniyi, Obaro of Kabba.

In another development, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Sunday Adeiza, has cautioned politicians in the Western Senatorial District of Kogi State against what he described as excessive agitation over power shift ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adeiza, who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday, said the immediate priority should be ensuring the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

He said continued emphasis on power shift could deepen existing divisions within the APC and weaken the party ahead of the elections.

“What should be our focus now is how President Bola Tinubu will win his second term. We should not allow the issue of power shift to distract us from the bigger political task before the party,” he said.

Adeiza alleged that the APC had become increasingly divided along ethnic lines in the state, warning that the development could affect the party’s chances in the 2027 elections if not addressed.

“The party is badly factionalised along tribal lines, and if we continue this way, it may dearly cost us in the 2027 poll,” he said.

He therefore urged APC stakeholders to put the party’s broader electoral interests ahead of sectional considerations and work towards greater unity before the elections.