Lawmaker’s Assembly Race Withdrawal Restored Political Equity In Ogori-Magongo

In Kogi State, one lawmaker’s withdrawal from the 2027 assembly race has reopened conversations around political equity, representation and communal balance in Ogori-Magongo. IBRAHIM OBANSA reports

For generations, the people of the Ogori and Magongo communities in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State have sustained a delicate political understanding that promotes peace, inclusion, and mutual trust.

Though unwritten, the rotational arrangement governing the sharing of major elective positions, particularly the Local Government Chairmanship and the State House of Assembly seat, has become a stabilising force, fostering harmony and strengthening the age-old brotherhood between the two communities.

Recent political developments, however, threatened to upset that balance and reopen old divisions capable of undermining years of peaceful coexistence.

But in what many stakeholders now describe as a rare act of statesmanship, Hon. (Prince) Bode Ogunmola’s voluntary withdrawal from the race for the Ogori/Magongo State Constituency seat has become a defining moment in preserving peace and political stability.

In a letter dated 4 June 2026, addressed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogunmola formally announced his decision to step aside from the forthcoming Kogi State House of Assembly election. He explained that the move followed extensive consultations with his family and respected elders and was taken in the overall interest of the party and the constituency.

Speaking with our Correspondent, Sunday Alao from Ogori community, stressed that while political withdrawals are often associated with internal crises, pressure, or personal calculations, Ogunmola’s decision has been widely viewed as a selfless intervention aimed at preserving communal harmony.

He noted that by subordinating personal ambition to collective interest, he demonstrated a quality increasingly scarce in contemporary politics.

‘‘Beyond the immediate electoral implications, the decision has helped restore confidence in the rotational arrangement that has historically guaranteed fairness and inclusiveness between the two communities,’’ he said.

Many observers believe such local agreements remain critical in diverse societies where political representation carries deep social and cultural significance.

The development has also renewed attention on the unresolved controversies surrounding the APC primaries, particularly the delay in announcing winners in some contests.

The uncertainty created by the process fuelled anxiety and dissatisfaction among stakeholders, contributing to the crisis of confidence within the constituency.

Political analysts argue that the absence of clarity during the primaries heightened tensions, making Ogunmola’s withdrawal a timely intervention that paved the way for reconciliation among competing interests.

Across the constituency, residents have largely welcomed the development.

Speaking in Lokoja, President of the Magongo Development Association (MDA), Akpata Jordan Alaba, described Ogunmola’s withdrawal as a noble sacrifice undertaken in the interest of peace and unity.

According to him, the gesture reflects a commitment to communal harmony and should inspire both Ogori and Magongo communities to unite behind the APC ahead of the election.

He also commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for what he described as courageous and responsive leadership in facilitating the restoration of peace.

“The implication is clear,” he said. “Both communities must close ranks and work together for the success of the APC. We should forgive past grievances and return to the spirit of brotherhood that has always defined our people.”

A prominent stakeholder in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, High Chief Meka Adesina-Soje, commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his role in resolving issues surrounding the representation of the area in the Kogi State House of Assembly.

Adesina-Soje, who is the Convener of Ododo Vanguard in Ogori-Magongo and an APC stakeholder, described the governor’s intervention as a demonstration of responsive leadership, fairness, and commitment to justice.

He told our correspondent that the resolution reaffirmed the importance of constructive engagement, responsible advocacy, and peaceful dialogue in addressing communal concerns.

“One of the defining hallmarks of great leadership is the ability to listen, reassess, and make decisions that serve the collective interest of the people. Governor Ododo has demonstrated this admirable quality and has once again proven that there is never a wrong time to do the right thing,” he stated.

He lauded the leadership of the Magongo Development Association (MDA), particularly its president, Prince Jordan Alaba Akpata, for demonstrating courage, maturity, and selflessness in pursuing the collective interest of Magongo.

He stressed that the development underscored the importance of choosing dialogue over conflict and unity over division, adding that lasting progress could only be achieved through mutual respect and cooperation.

Calling for reconciliation among all stakeholders, he urged residents of Ogori-Magongo to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and focus on advancing the peace, development, and prosperity of the local government area.

“The true victory belongs not to any individual or group, but to the people of Ogori-Magongo and to the enduring principles of justice, fairness, equity, and unity,” he said.

A political analyst, Usman Abdul, described Ogunmola’s action as a remarkable example of selfless leadership.

According to him, political offices should never become the exclusive preserve of a few individuals, noting that leaders must sometimes make sacrifices to strengthen democratic institutions.

“It can always be another person’s turn to serve,” he observed. “By this singular act, Hon. Prince Bode Ogunmola has demonstrated political maturity, democratic values, and a genuine commitment to community development,” Abdul added.

Similar views were expressed by Kogi East politician Maman Anepena, who urged minority communities across the state to continue respecting political arrangements that promote equity and peaceful coexistence.

He noted that Ogunmola had the political strength to remain in the race but deliberately chose stability over personal ambition.

Residents of the Magongo community, including Daudu Ezekiel and Mary Bodi, also expressed optimism that the decision would help rebuild trust between the two communities.

They, however, urged government and party leaders to deepen consultations with local stakeholders before making decisions with implications for communal peace.

Speaking with our correspondent, Sunday Adedeji revealed that, apart from Ogunmola, no other aspirant from the Ogori community had expressed interest in contesting the Assembly seat, owing to the long-established rotational understanding.

“Because of the arrangement, no other person from Ogori signified interest in the contest. The government wanted Ogunmola and purchased the APC form for him. But we are happy that wisdom prevailed and he eventually withdrew in the overriding interest of peace and fairness,” he said.

With Ogunmola’s withdrawal, the contest is now expected to feature three candidates from the Magongo community: Peter Olowu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Daudu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Emmanuel Olufade of the APC, who is widely regarded as the beneficiary of the development.

Speaking with our Correspondent, the APC candidate for the House of Assembly election, Emmanuel Olufade, also commended Hon. Ogunmola for taking a peace-making role, describing him as a patriotic member of Ogori-Magongo.

Speaking further, he said, “Ogunmola has always been a very honest and patriotic personality. God will surely reward him for his peaceful disposition.

He noted that the process of peacebuilding has already begun, assuring that APC will win the election overwhelmingly.

Beyond the political calculations, the episode offers an enduring lesson in democratic leadership.

It underscores that political power derives its greatest value when exercised with wisdom, restraint, and sensitivity to the people’s aspirations.

As preparations intensify for the forthcoming election, many believe that Hon. Bode Ogunmola’s withdrawal will be remembered not as a retreat but as a courageous sacrifice that restored confidence, reinforced fairness, and preserved the unity of Ogori and Magongo communities.

For stakeholders like Enesi Yusuf and many others across the constituency, that sacrifice may ultimately become one of the most enduring legacies of the 2026 political season in Ogori/Magongo.