2027: Ikupolati Demands Legal Framework for Kogi Governorship Rotation
By Our Correspondent
A Professor of Leadership and Good Governance at the University of America, Prof. Mike Ikupolati, has called for the rotation of the Kogi State governorship among the three senatorial districts as a means of promoting equity, inclusiveness and a sense of belonging in the governance of the state.
He made this call while delivering his keynote address at the Okun Unity Dialogue, organised by the Okun Development Initiative (ODI), led by Hon. DNC Olusuyi Otitoju, and held at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja.
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Ikupolati, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Global Intellectual Consult, made the call at a dialogue organised by the Okun Development Initiative (ODI) in Abuja, with the theme, “Unity for Strength: Building Strategic Elites, Consensus and Political Cohesion.”
He urged members of the Kogi State House of Assembly, particularly lawmakers representing Kogi West, to initiate legislation that would provide a legal framework for rotating the governorship seat among Kogi East, Kogi Central and Kogi West.
According to him, occupying the number-one political position in Kogi State remains a legitimate aspiration of the people of Kogi West, both at home and in the diaspora.
He, however, stressed that achieving the aspiration would require deliberate political planning, unity of purpose and a clear strategy capable of securing broad support across the three senatorial districts.
Ikupolati challenged Kogi West lawmakers to put their heads together working with their colleagues from other senatorial districts and work out practical modalities for giving legal backing to the proposed rotational arrangement, saying such a framework could promote fairness and strengthen political inclusion in the state.
He also called on leaders in Okunland, including traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders, to be intentional about building unity and consensus, stressing that the development of the area would be difficult without a common purpose.
The professor advocated the formulation of a clearly defined “Okun Agenda” that would provide a common roadmap for pursuing the political, economic and social interests of the people.
He maintained that the agenda should transcend individual political interests and provide a platform upon which leaders and citizens could collectively pursue the long-term development and political aspirations of Okunland.
Ikupolati further urged the older generation of leaders to serve as “ladders” upon which younger people could rise to positions of leadership, rather than becoming obstacles to their emergence.
He stressed the importance of mentorship, inclusion and deliberate succession planning, noting that empowering the younger generation was critical to securing the future of Okunland.
The professor also called for the constitution of a Reconciliation Committee to engage aggrieved sons and daughters of Okunland and address issues capable of undermining the unity of the people.
According to him, reconciliation is essential to healing existing wounds, rebuilding trust and creating the cohesion required for the people to pursue their collective aspirations.
Ikupolati urged Okun leaders and stakeholders to prioritise dialogue, unity and strategic consensus, stressing that a united people would be better positioned to negotiate effectively and pursue their legitimate interests within the broader political structure of Kogi State.
Democracy Newsline Newspaper September 4, 2026
