Your Excellency,
I write this open letter in the spirit of brotherhood, equity, and sincere concern for the political stability and development of Kogi State, particularly Kogi East. This intervention is not borne out of bitterness or personal animosity, but from a deep desire to see fairness upheld and the dividends of democracy distributed equitably among all parts of our state.
Your emergence as Governor came with renewed hope for justice, balance, and inclusiveness. Many see your leadership as the beginning of a new chapter—one capable of correcting longstanding imbalances and ensuring that every local government feels a genuine sense of belonging in the Kogi project.
It is against this background that I respectfully draw your attention to the ongoing House of Representatives race and the growing concerns surrounding it. I do so not as a bystander, but as someone who has participated in this democratic process and understands the sacrifices, the expectations of the people, and the demands of representation. For clarity, I contested for this same position twice—first in 2019 and again in 2023. Those experiences reinforced one clear truth: democracy grows stronger when more people are given the opportunity to contest, to campaign, and—where the people so decide—to win. No office in a democracy is monarchical. No seat is the inheritance of one individual or one narrow political circle. Leadership must remain open, competitive, and accountable to the people.
Your Excellency, Hon. David Zacharia has had the rare privilege of being elected into the House of Representatives on two different occasions. Unfortunately, the people of the constituency have little to point to as concrete achievements from these tenures. There are no visible constituency projects that significantly improved lives, no enduring legislative footprint, and no clear legacy that justifies another opportunity. Representation is not merely about occupying a seat; it is about using that mandate to uplift the people. After two terms, leadership should be assessed by results, not rhetoric, and sadly, his record does not convincingly support a bid for another term.
Even more troubling is the political imbalance that is gradually taking root within Kogi East. Today, Ofu Local Government Area already holds the Deputy Governor of Kogi State and a serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and now seeks to retain the House of Representatives seat as well. This over-concentration of political power in one local government, while other areas remain marginalized, is not only unjust; it poses a real risk to unity, peace, and long-term stability within the district.
Ibaji Local Government Area remains one of the most neglected political blocs in Kogi East. For years, Ibaji has remained loyal to the party, loyal to leaders, and loyal to the progress of Kogi State, yet when opportunities arise, Ibaji is repeatedly sidelined. This continued exclusion creates deep wounds and fosters the dangerous feeling that some communities are permanent spectators in a system they have consistently supported.
Zoning the House of Representatives seat to Ibaji is, therefore, not a favour—it is a matter of justice and balance. It will restore confidence in the system, promote inclusiveness and fairness, heal longstanding political grievances, and give the people of Ibaji a true sense of belonging in the Kogi project. Most importantly, it will reaffirm the principle that public office is not reserved for one person alone, and not permanently allocated to one local government area at the expense of others. People must be allowed the chance to contest and, by the will of the electorate, to win. That is the essence of democracy, and that is how peace and loyalty are sustained.
Your Excellency, true leadership is not about pleasing a few powerful individuals; it is about doing what is right and just for the greater good. History will remember you not by the injustices you overlooked, but by the imbalances you corrected. I therefore respectfully urge you to prevail on Hon. David Zacharia to step down in the interest of equity, to support the zoning of the House of Representatives seat to Ibaji Local Government Area, and to use your office to enthrone fairness and balance in Kogi East politics.
This is the time to demonstrate that your administration stands firmly for justice, fairness, and unity. May wisdom guide your decisions.
Yours sincerely,
Hon. Egbunu Amanabo Yusuf
Former House of Representatives Candidate, Idah, Ibaji, Ofu, Igalamela-Odolu Federal Constituency.
