In the high-stakes theater of Kogi State politics, the script for 2027 was supposed to be written in the West. For years, the “Kogi West for Governor” agitation has been more than a political movement; it has been a strident cry for equity.
But as the dust settles over recent political pronouncements, a sobering reality is dawning on the electorate: in the game of power, human promises are often written in sand, and total trust in political “messiahs” often leads to a cul-de-sac of disappointment.
The grievance of the Western axis is rooted in a stark historical timeline. Since the creation of the Confluence State, the seat of power at Lugard House has been distributed with a heavy tilt:
Kogi East (Igala): Held sway for over 16 years.
Kogi Central (Ebira): Currently in their 10th year of governance under the incumbent administration.
Kogi West (Okun/Lokoja-Koto): Still waiting at the threshold.
The emergence of the “16-16-16” slogan was intended to be a corrective roadmap. Proponents argue that if 16 years of Igala dominance was deemed unfair, then correcting it by simply gifting the Ebira axis an equivalent 16-year stretch is not justice—it is merely a different flavor of inequality.
Despite Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo being only in the infancy of his first term, the political machinery has already shifted into high gear. Government apologists have launched a vigorous campaign for his 2027 re-election, a move that critics say bypasses the urgent need for a power shift.
For many in the West, the beacon of hope in this storm was Hon. James Abiodun Faleke. Seen as the formidable bridge to a Western governorship, he carried the aspirations of a region tired of playing the “supporting cast.”
The unpredictability of politics was laid bare recently when statements credited to Hon. Faleke suggested a pivot. His assertion—that Governor Ododo should be allowed to complete a second term because “God’s time is the best”—has sent shockwaves through his support base.
This old adage has never rung truer. The protagonists of the Kogi West movement, who placed their total hope in individual political figures, now find themselves grappling with the volatility of human alliances.
The unfolding “2027 Debacle” serves as a poignant reminder of the futility of placing absolute faith in mortal maneuvers. While the political class calculates and shifts, the spiritual and philosophical consensus emerging from the streets of Lokoja is one of divine sovereignty.
As the scripture notes, “Power belongeth unto God.” The ultimate authority does not reside in zoning formulas, backroom deals, or the endorsements of political heavyweights.
Who occupies Lugard House in 2027 remains an open question that no man can authoritatively answer today. The lesson for the Kogi electorate is clear: while advocacy for equity is necessary, placing total trust in the “arm of flesh” is a precarious gamble. In the end, the destiny of the state lies beyond the reach of political maneuvering—it rests in the hands of the Almighty.
– Ponle Adeniyi
ponleadeniyi457@gmail.com
