Ajileye Urges Tajudeen Yusuf to Respect Rotational Arrangement, Allow Yagba Retain Senate Seat
By Our Correspondent
Pastor Stanley Ajileye has appealed to former House of Representatives member, Hon. Tajudeen Ayo Yusuf, to reconsider his reported aspiration for the Kogi West Senatorial seat, urging him to respect what he described as the established principle of political rotation and equity among the component constituencies.
Ajileye made the appeal in an open letter addressed to Yusuf, in which he described himself as a friend, brother and longtime supporter of the former federal lawmaker.
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The cleric recalled that he supported Yusuf throughout his 12 years in the House of Representatives because he believed in the principles of equity, fairness and rotation.
According to him, many people in Ijumu deliberately supported Yusuf’s aspiration at the time because they understood that the House of Representatives seat could not reasonably come to Ijumu while the Senate was still being occupied by their constituency.
He said the sacrifice was made in the belief that political positions should be equitably shared among the various constituencies in Okunland.
Ajileye, however, expressed concern over Yusuf’s current aspiration for the Senate, arguing that the former lawmaker only left the National Assembly about three years ago and should allow the existing rotational arrangement to continue.
“Okun land is known for order. Okun people are respected for their commitment to equity and fairness. We must not suddenly abandon the principles that have held us together simply because political circumstances have changed,” he stated.
He noted that Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency had dominated the Senate for 16 consecutive years, adding that the people eventually accepted the need for rotation in the interest of fairness.
According to him, the Senate has now moved to Yagba and the constituency should be allowed to enjoy its “rightful turn” for at least two terms before the position rotates again.
He further argued that, after Yagba, the position should naturally move to the Lokoja/Kogi-Koton Karfe Federal Constituency, which he described as an integral part of the larger Kogi West political family and a constituency that has waited for another opportunity since the tenure of former Senator Tunde Ogbeha.
Ajileye stressed that his position was not intended to deny Yusuf his constitutional right to contest an election, but rather to raise questions about the political and social implications of such a contest.
“This is not about denying anyone his constitutional right to contest an election. It is about asking ourselves whether everything that is legally possible is necessarily politically right, morally fair and socially desirable,” he said.
The cleric also appealed to Yusuf’s Christian faith, urging him to reflect on biblical teachings concerning order, fairness and treating others as one would wish to be treated.
He said his opposition to Yusuf’s aspiration was not borne out of animosity, stressing that his longstanding relationship with the former lawmaker compelled him to speak frankly.
“Not because I do not love you. Not because I have forgotten your years of service. Not because I have ceased to admire you. But precisely because I consider you my friend and brother, I owe you the truth,” Ajileye stated.
He also addressed what he described as insinuations that Yusuf’s aspiration might have received encouragement from political interests opposed to the growing influence of Senator Sunday Steve Karimi and his advocacy for Kogi West.
Ajileye said he had deliberately refused to believe such claims about Yusuf, whom he described as a man of integrity who would not allow himself to be used against another Okun son.
He nevertheless warned that political divisions among Okun people could ultimately weaken the entire region.
“Who truly benefits if Okun people turn against one another?” he asked, warning against a situation where Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu would fight Yagba, Yagba would fight Lokoja/Kogi-Koton Karfe, and one Okun brother would be encouraged to work against another.
He urged Yusuf to consider whether the political forces allegedly encouraging his Senate ambition could instead support him for the 2027 governorship election, arguing that such a path could provide a broader opportunity for his political future.
Ajileye further advised the former lawmaker not to allow a temporary political calculation to damage a political legacy built over decades.
“You have spent years building political goodwill, relationships and a reputation for yourself. Please do not allow a temporary political calculation to jeopardise a legacy that took decades to build,” he appealed.
He called on Yusuf to consult widely, listen to elders and consider the interests of the various constituencies before making a final decision.
Ajileye concluded by urging the former lawmaker to allow Yagba to complete its turn and Lokoja/Kogi-Koton Karfe to await its opportunity, describing the preservation of the rotational arrangement as vital to Okun unity and political stability.
He reiterated that his intervention was borne out of friendship and principle, declaring: “Friendship does not mean silence, and support does not mean abandoning principle.”
He therefore urged Yusuf to rethink his ambition “for your sake, for the sake of our people, for the sake of Okun unity, and for the sake of the political legacy we will leave behind for generations yet unborn.”
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper, September 12 2026
