OYDA Demands Kogi West Governorship in 2027, Calls for Political Inclusion, Security, Development
By Samuel Temiloluwa
…Endorses Faleke’s Candidacy, Backs Tinubu’s Re-election, Urges Unity Among Okun Institutions
The Okun Youth Development Association (OYDA) has renewed its demand for the governorship of Kogi State to rotate to Kogi West Senatorial District in 2027, describing political inclusion, equity and fairness as critical to the unity and development of the state.
The Chairman of the OYDA Caretaker Committee, Dr. Segun Babayomi Amupitan, made the call on Saturday, October 24, 2026, while delivering his address at the Fifth Okun Community Political and Security Summit and Award Presentations held at Olonijola Hall, Kabba, Kogi State.
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The summit, organised by the national secretariat of OYDA, was themed “Okunland Conversation: Political Inclusion, Security, and Sustainable Development.”
Amupitan said Okunland’s political aspirations must be pursued through strategic engagement, unity, active democratic participation and constructive dialogue, stressing that the people should not allow political differences to undermine their collective interests.
He maintained that, as one of the major population groups in Kogi State and the dominant population group in Kogi West, the Okun people deserved a fair opportunity to produce the next governor of the state.
According to him, the principle of power rotation among the three senatorial districts remains important to promoting peaceful coexistence, balanced development and equitable representation.
“Until the agenda of power rotation is achieved, Okunland is not politically free,” he declared, reiterating the association’s demand for the governorship to move to Kogi West in 2027.
He argued that the demand for political inclusion should not be presented as being in conflict with development, noting that both objectives could be pursued simultaneously through responsible leadership, sound policies, transparency and prudent management of public resources.
The OYDA chairman identified poor road infrastructure, unemployment, insecurity, inadequate economic opportunities and other developmental challenges as issues requiring sustained attention from government institutions and political representatives.
He stressed that equitable political representation could strengthen the capacity of communities to articulate their needs and hold public officials accountable for the delivery of democratic dividends.
Amupitan also expressed concern over what he described as repeated disappointments regarding power rotation, particularly during the 2011 and 2023 governorship election cycles.
He urged Okun stakeholders to remain united, strategic and politically active rather than rely on assurances that the governorship would rotate to Kogi West at a later date.
OYDA Endorses Faleke, Backs Tinubu’s Re-election
On the 2027 governorship election, Amupitan reaffirmed OYDA’s support for the aspiration of the Okun people to produce the next governor of Kogi State.
He specifically appealed to Hon. James Abiodun Faleke to consider contesting the governorship, describing him as a potential candidate through whom the Okun people could pursue their political ambition.
The chairman clarified that the association’s position, as presented in his address, was based on deliberations and resolutions reached by its leadership.
He also announced OYDA’s support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing continuity and what the association considers the administration’s contributions to human resource development, including appointments of people from Okunland to public offices.
Amupitan, however, cautioned against purported endorsements made in the name of Okun youths without broad consultation and appropriate authorisation from the relevant organisations.
He said the political direction of the Okun people should emerge from responsible engagement and a process capable of commanding the confidence of the wider community.
Insecurity Threatens Livelihoods
The OYDA chairman identified kidnapping, banditry, farmer-herder conflicts and other criminal activities as major threats to the safety and economic wellbeing of communities across Okunland.
He said insecurity had disrupted farming, food production, transportation and commerce, while forcing some residents to leave their homes in search of safer locations.
He also called for investigations into concerns about possible connections between illegal mining activities and insecurity, urging relevant authorities to establish the facts and take appropriate action.
Amupitan called on traditional rulers, community leaders, residents and security agencies to strengthen cooperation in tackling criminal activities.
He urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies through lawful channels and warned against complicity in criminal activities.
He equally called on government institutions and security agencies to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, investigate reported crimes and restore public confidence in affected communities.
According to him, sustainable security requires proactive leadership, community vigilance, cooperation and effective enforcement of the law.
OYDA Raises Concerns Over Voter Apathy
Amupitan also expressed concern over what he described as low voter participation among Okun communities during the 2023 governorship election, arguing that poor turnout weakened the region’s capacity to translate its population strength into electoral influence.
Citing figures for Kabba/Bunu and Yagba East local government areas, he said Kabba/Bunu recorded 87,162 registered voters, 24,242 accredited voters, 23,823 valid votes and 419 rejected votes.
For Yagba East, he cited 53,436 registered voters, 18,001 accredited voters, 17,649 valid votes and 344 rejected votes.
He used the figures to highlight the gap between voter registration and actual participation, calling for sustained civic education and greater mobilisation of eligible voters.
The chairman urged citizens to register, verify their voter information and participate peacefully in elections, stressing that population strength could only translate into political influence when accompanied by active electoral participation.
Calls for Youth Empowerment and Economic Development
Addressing the economic challenges facing Okunland, Amupitan identified unemployment, deteriorating roads and inflation as major pressures on households, particularly young people, farmers, traders and small-business owners.
He noted that poor infrastructure increased transportation costs, restricted access to markets and complicated emergency responses.
He called for improved public infrastructure, transparent allocation of resources, employment opportunities and policies that would encourage entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
The OYDA chairman also urged influential individuals and members of the business community to support young people through mentorship, employment, affordable financing and assistance for emerging entrepreneurs.
He advocated greater investment in agriculture, including improved farming equipment, quality seedlings, secure land arrangements and accessible financing, as ways to boost food production and create employment.
He further urged local authorities to develop policies that would improve access to commercial spaces and market facilities for indigenous entrepreneurs.
Amupitan cautioned young people against cultism, violence and criminality, encouraging them instead to pursue education, vocational training, professional development and entrepreneurship.
He said leadership should be measured by service, accountability, problem-solving and the ability to mobilise people towards constructive goals rather than merely by the possession of titles or public offices.
Seeks Reconciliation Among Okun Institutions
The OYDA chairman called on community elders and stakeholders to intensify efforts to reconcile the Okun Development Association (ODA) and the Kabba Development Union (KDU), as well as strengthen relationships among other community institutions.
He said internal disagreements should be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect and a willingness to find common ground.
According to him, strong community institutions are essential for coordinating development initiatives, protecting collective interests and providing constructive leadership.
Amupitan also called for the documentation and preservation of Okunland’s oral history, particularly accounts of the victory of Okun forebears over Anupe invaders at Udi, present-day Ogidi in Ijumu Local Government Area, in 1897.
He said preserving such historical accounts would help future generations understand their heritage and build on the legacy of their forebears.
OYDA Reflects on Its Contributions
Reflecting on the association’s history, Amupitan said OYDA was inaugurated on February 13, 2013, at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Kabba, by a group of Okun youths seeking an organised platform for youth participation in community affairs.
He said the association had since provided a platform for young people and youth organisations to engage in discussions and initiatives concerning the collective interests of Okunland.
Among its activities, he listed participation in ODA’s 2021 World Press Conference, consultations aimed at addressing the crisis surrounding ODA’s 2024 National Convention, grassroots public lectures, community development advocacy and recognition of distinguished sons and daughters of Okunland.
He also cited the association’s contribution to efforts that facilitated the location of the North Central Study Centre of the Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria in Kabba.
Amupitan said the annual summit, which began in 2021, was designed to sensitise the public, examine common challenges, encourage practical solutions and recognise individuals whose contributions to society deserved commendation.
He urged participants to leave the summit committed to strengthening unity, empowering young people, supporting vulnerable communities and advancing a safer and more prosperous Okunland.
The event also featured award presentations to distinguished individuals in recognition of their contributions to community development and society.
In his concluding remarks, Amupitan reiterated OYDA’s demand for political rotation to Kogi West in 2027, calling for what he described as a fair and just political arrangement based on equity, peace and justice.
He maintained that political inclusion, improved security, institutional reconciliation and sustainable development must remain central to the collective aspirations of the Okun people.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 24th, 2026
