Your Excellency,
I write with deep respect for your office and with abiding faith in your commitment to justice, equity, and inclusive governance. As the Executive Governor of Kogi State, you bear the historic responsibility of ensuring that every section of our dear state feels a sense of belonging. It is in this spirit that this open letter draws your attention to the lingering issue of political imbalance within Kogi East—specifically, the marginalization of Idah Local Government Area in senatorial representation since the return of democracy in 1999.
Since Nigeria’s democratic rebirth in 1999, the Senate seat for Kogi East has rotated among various local governments within the district. However, a careful look at the trajectory of representation reveals a pattern that has left Idah Local Government Area without sustained and equitable representation at the upper legislative chamber.
From 1999 to 2003, the senatorial seat was held by Senator Alex Kadiri from Dekina Local Government. This was followed by Senator Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane, also from Dekina, who served two full terms from 2003 to 2011. By the end of 2011, Dekina Local Government had occupied the Senate seat for a cumulative twelve years.
In June 2011, hope flickered briefly for Idah when Senator Dangana Ocheja emerged to represent Kogi East. Unfortunately, his tenure lasted only about six months, from June to December 2011. That short-lived period remains the only time since 1999 that Idah Local Government has produced a Senator for Kogi East. A mere six months in twenty-seven years of democratic governance is hardly commensurate with the political weight, historical relevance, and electoral contributions of Idah.
From 2011 to 2019, the Senate seat shifted to Olamaboro Local Government under Senator Ali Attai Aidoko, who served for approximately seven and a half years. The pattern once again moved away from Idah. Subsequent developments in the senatorial seat have seen representation emerge from other local governments, while Idah has remained largely on the sidelines.
Your Excellency, Idah is not a peripheral community in Kogi East. It is a historic and cultural nucleus of the Igala nation. The ancient town of Idah has long been recognized as a political and traditional capital, home to institutions that have shaped the identity and cohesion of the Igala people. Beyond history, Idah has consistently demonstrated loyalty at the polls, contributing significantly to electoral victories at both state and federal levels.
It is important to emphasize that this appeal is not born out of rivalry or resentment toward other local governments in Kogi East. Dekina, Olamaboro, Ankpa, Omala, and Olamaboro have all made valuable contributions to the district and the state. However, equity demands that representation should not be lopsided or concentrated disproportionately over time. A district thrives when all its constituent parts feel included in the distribution of opportunities and responsibilities.
When one local government area holds the Senate seat for twelve years, another for nearly eight years, and yet another for several years in other high-ranking offices, while Idah’s experience amounts to just six months in nearly three decades, questions of fairness inevitably arise. Democracy is not merely about elections; it is about balanced participation and shared ownership of power.
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not a ceremonial position. It is a powerful legislative platform that shapes national policy, influences federal projects, and determines resource allocation. The absence of sustained representation from Idah has implications for federal presence, infrastructural advocacy, and strategic appointments that could directly benefit the area.
Your Excellency, as Governor, you stand in a unique position to influence the direction of political consensus within your party and across the state. Leadership is often measured not only by the projects executed but by the fairness demonstrated in managing diversity and competing interests. Addressing the imbalance in Kogi East’s senatorial rotation would send a strong message that your administration values justice and inclusivity.
As the political season gradually approaches, there will be conversations about zoning, power-sharing, and strategic positioning ahead of future elections. It is during such moments that visionary leadership becomes most crucial. A deliberate and transparent commitment to giving Idah Local Government a fair shot at the Senate seat would help strengthen unity within Kogi East. It would reduce internal tensions, foster solidarity among stakeholders, and prevent the emergence of grievances that opposition forces might exploit.
Beyond the Senate seat, equitable inclusion should also reflect in appointments within state structures. Political inclusion is not only about elective offices but also about appointments into boards, commissions, and executive councils. When communities see their sons and daughters actively participating in governance, their faith in the system deepens.
Your Excellency, this is an appeal grounded in reason, not agitation; in unity, not division. Idah Local Government does not seek dominance but fairness. It seeks not to displace others but to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the spirit of brotherhood and shared destiny.
History will remember leaders who rose above sectional calculations to promote equity. You have the opportunity to inscribe your name in that tradition by championing a more balanced representation for Kogi East. In doing so, you will not only address a long-standing grievance but also reinforce the principle that every part of Kogi State matters equally.
As the custodian of the people’s mandate, we trust that you will carefully consider this appeal. The strength of Kogi State lies in its unity, and unity is best preserved where justice prevails.
May your administration continue to prosper, and may fairness guide every decision you make for the good of our dear state.
Respectfully submitted in the interest of equity, justice, and the enduring unity of Kogi East.
– Comrade Arome Umar
Idah, Kogi atate
