EJIBUNU URGES KOGI WEST TO UNITE, NEGOTIATE FOR GOVERNORSHIP, SAYS DISTRICT NOT BEGGING FOR POWER BUT JUSTICE
By Our Correspondent
Calls for transparency, sacrifice, tolerance and collective commitment to achieve power rotation in Kogi State
KABBA, KOGI STATE – Former Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, ACG Hussein Ejibunu (rtd.), has called on the people of Kogi West Senatorial District to unite, speak with one voice and collectively negotiate for the governorship of Kogi State, declaring that the district is not begging for power but demanding justice and equity in the state’s political arrangement.
Ejibunu made the call on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, while delivering his opening address as Chairman of the Occasion at the Post-Summit Stakeholders’ Round-Table for Kogi West Senatorial District, held at Lisa Palm Hotel, Kabba, Kogi State.
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Speaking on the theme, “One District, One Voice, One Destiny,” he said the gathering was an important opportunity for stakeholders to harmonise their positions, consolidate the collective voice of Kogi West and develop a unified roadmap for equity, justice and inclusive governance in the state.
He expressed optimism that the strategic engagement would enable the district to address its internal differences and develop practical strategies and timelines for repositioning Kogi West in the political leadership and governance of Kogi State.
According to him, the district’s prolonged inability to speak with one voice has contributed to its political marginalisation and the loss of opportunities to other senatorial districts.
Quoting the legendary scholar, Chester Karrass, who said, “You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate,” Ejibunu stressed that Kogi West must recognise the importance of strategic negotiation in its quest for the state’s highest political office.
He maintained that the district’s aspiration to produce the next governor should not be driven by individual interests or sectional considerations but by a common understanding of fairness, equity and political justice.
Explaining his message of “One District, One Voice, One Destiny,” the retired Customs chief noted that the people of Lokoja, Kogi Local Government, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa-Muro, Yagba East and Yagba West share a common political destiny despite their geographical and community differences.
He argued that speaking with multiple voices would weaken the district’s bargaining strength, while a united position would make its demands more compelling and difficult to ignore.
Ejibunu identified transparency, unity, sacrifice and tolerance as the four fundamental pillars that must guide Kogi West’s political negotiations and collective aspiration for the governorship.
On transparency, he urged political leaders and stakeholders to ensure openness in their discussions, negotiations, decision-making processes and eventual agreements, stressing that the district must first build mutual trust among its people before expecting other senatorial districts to trust it with executive power.
On unity, he called for an end to divisions based on towns, local government areas, wards and individual political ambitions, insisting that no community or local government could achieve the district’s collective aspiration in isolation.
Quoting former American President Abraham Lincoln, he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” adding that Kogi West must abandon the politics of individualism and embrace a common front.
He further urged stakeholders to stop fighting over what he described as political crumbs, noting that the district’s shared destiny should take precedence over personal interests and narrow community considerations.
On sacrifice, Ejibunu emphasised that achieving the governorship would require collective commitment, concessions and the willingness of individuals and communities to place the overall interest of Kogi West above personal ambitions.
He said stakeholders must be prepared to make necessary compromises, explaining that today’s understanding and concessions could translate into greater collective benefits in the future.
The retired ACG described tolerance as the pillar that would sustain the other three principles, warning that transparency without tolerance could degenerate into witch-hunting, unity without tolerance could become deceptive, while sacrifice without tolerance could breed bitterness.
He explained that tolerance involved accepting disagreements without turning opponents into enemies, adding that the ability of Kogi West leaders and communities to accommodate one another would demonstrate their readiness to govern a diverse state like Kogi.
According to him, the district must embrace religious, political, cultural and community differences while remaining committed to its common political aspiration.
Ejibunu also highlighted the potential benefits of power rotation for Kogi West, grouping them into three broad areas: political benefits, governance benefits and democratic governance.
He, however, urged participants at the round-table to make meaningful contributions and ensure that their deliberations were guided by the principles of transparency, unity, sacrifice and tolerance.
Posing a series of questions to the stakeholders, he challenged them to reflect on whether they truly recognised themselves as one district, shared a common destiny and were prepared to speak with one voice in pursuit of their collective ambition.
He called on the people to come together, do what was necessary and make wise political choices capable of advancing the district’s aspiration.
The address climaxed with a solidarity chant led by Ejibunu, who declared, “One District,” to which participants responded, “One Voice,” while his declaration, “One Voice,” elicited the response, “One Destiny.”
He concluded by praying for God’s blessings upon Kogi West, Kogi State and Nigeria.
The Post-Summit Stakeholders’ Round-Table brought together traditional rulers, local government chairmen and representatives, political leaders, government appointees, religious leaders, community elders and other stakeholders to deliberate on the political future of Kogi West and its aspiration to produce the next governor of the state.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper November 10th, 2026
