EQUITY AS THE COMPASS FOR 2027: Why Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency Must Recalibrate for 2027
-CHIEF (HON.) AIYENALE FRED JIMOH
As the 2027 general elections begin to cast their shadows over the political landscape of Kogi State, the conversation surrounding the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency has reached a fever pitch. In a democracy, while numbers matter, the principles of equity, justice, and fairness are the bedrock of communal harmony.
For a constituency bound by shared history and administrative ties, the “gentleman’s agreement” of power rotation is not just a preference, it is a necessity for stability.
THE IMBALANCE: A CASE FOR KABBA/BUNU
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The current political configuration in Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency suggests a looming concentration of power that threatens the spirit of inclusive representation.
Senator Smart Adeyemi, a veteran of the red chamber and a prominent son of Ijumu, is reportedly eyeing a historic fourth term in the Senate.
If Ijumu maintains its grip on the Senate, the moral burden of “equal spread” dictates that the House of Representatives seat must, as a matter of political justice, reside in Kabba/Bunu.
Currently, the Federal House of Representatives seat is held by Hon. Idris Salman, also an Ijumu indigene. Should this status quo persist like it was between 2007-2011 (if such history is allowed again), it would mean that both the Senatorial and House of Reps slots are occupied by one half of the constituency (Ijumu), leaving the Kabba/Bunu axis in a political eclipse.
RT. HON. PRINCE MATTHEW KOLAWOLE:
The Game Changer
In the search for a candidate who possesses the legislative “gravitas” to balance this equation, the name of Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole emerges not just as a choice, but as a strategic imperative.
As the immediate past Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Kolawole’s credentials speak of a man who understands the nuances of lawmaking and the intricacies of executive-legislative synergy. His tenure as Speaker was marked by:
* Legislative Maturity: Steering the House through complex transitions with stability.
* Bridge Building: A track record of unifying diverse interests across the Okun nation.
* Proven Loyalty: A consistent political philosophy that prioritizes the collective progress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his constituents.
For Kabba/Bunu, Kolawole represents more than just a “turn”; he represents a Game Changer capable of hitting the ground running in the 11th National Assembly. His entrance into the race shifts the momentum, offering the constituency a representative with the networking capacity to attract federal dividends.
WHY EQUITY MUST PREVAIL
The argument for a Kabba/Bunu candidate in 2027 is built on two pillars:
* Rotational Justice: Historically, the Kabba/Bunu and Ijumu axes have thrived on mutual respect. With Ijumu likely holding the Senate seat for the fifth terms (through Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Adeyemi), the House of Reps seat is the natural right of Kabba/Bunu to ensure every section feels a sense of belonging.
* Effective Advocacy: Having a ranking legislator like the Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole in the Green Chamber ensures that the constituency isn’t just “present” but is “influential” in the committee rooms where the national budget and other constituencies dividends are shared.
THE PATH FORWARD
The 2027 election is not merely about winning votes; it is about sustaining the “One Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu” spirit.
As Senator Smart Adeyemi pursues his senatorial ambitions for Ijumu, the most logical and equitable path to peace is to clear the way for a powerhouse from Kabba/Bunu.
In this political chess game, Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole stands out as the most viable “knight” to defend the interests of the Kabba/Bunu people while ensuring the entire federal constituency remains a formidable force in Nigeria’s democratic space.
I therefore call on APC leaders, critical stakeholders, party loyalists and the good people of Kabba Bunu Ijumu Federal Constituency to support Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole to represent us in the Green Chamber of the the national assembly come 2027.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 10TH 2026)
