Kogi West Senatorial Seat from (1979-2023: The case for Yagba East’s long-awaited turn
A meticulous review of senatorial representation in Kogi West Senatorial District from 1979 to 2023 paints a stark picture of rotational leadership that has spanned over four decades, with every major local government area tasting the fruits of the upper legislative chamber, except one glaring omission: Yagba East, which has recorded zero representations despite its unwavering commitment to the district’s political fortunes.
The records speak volumes, Yagba West has produced senators twice, including Senator Justus Olu (1979–1983) and the current Senator Sunday Karimi (2023 to date); Ijumu has dominated with four turns through heavyweights like Senators Smart Adeyemi and Dino Melaye; Kabba-Bunu secured one slot with Senator Obasaju in 1983; Mopa-Muro had its moment with Senator S.B. Awoniyi (1991–1993); Lokoja claimed two tenures via Senator Tunde Ogbeha (1999–2007); and even Kogi/Koton-Karfe got a nod with Senator Ado Shuaibu in 1998.
This pattern underscores a deliberate rotation among the blocs, fostering a semblance of equity, yet Yagba East remains the lone outlier, its people sidelined in the very democracy they have toiled to nurture.
For more than 40 years, the resilient sons and daughters of Yagba East have been the bedrock of Kogi West’s political unity, turning out en masse for elections, rallying behind candidates from across the district, and pouring their resources into campaigns that advanced the district’s progress and cohesion, all without once being rewarded with the senatorial mantle that rightfully belongs to them as equal stakeholders.
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Their loyalty has been unshakeable, their contributions invaluable, yet the zone’s power brokers have overlooked them time and again, leaving a bitter taste of exclusion that threatens the fragile peace of this diverse senatorial district.
If the principles of fairness, equity, and justice, cornerstones of Nigeria’s democratic ethos, are to hold any water in Kogi West, then the next senatorial cycle must prioritize Yagba East, rectifying this historic imbalance before it festers into deeper divisions.
This call for inclusion is no recent whim; it echoes the robust “Yagba for Senate Agenda” championed by Yagba East candidates in 2018, a movement that galvanized support, shifted narratives, and paved the way for the rotational balance now evident within the broader Yagba axis, proving that such advocacy can deliver results when heeded.
To deny Yagba East yet again would not only postpone their rightful turn by another decade or more but risk entrenching a sense of alienation that could unravel the district’s unity at a time when cohesion is paramount.
Inclusive rotation transcends mere political horse-trading; it is the essence of justice, the glue of balance, and the harbinger of lasting peace, ensuring every corner of Kogi West, from the hills of Yagba to the rivers of Lokoja, feels a true sense of belonging.
In the spirit of self-accountability, let Kogi West practise fairness among ourselves before seeking it from the wider nation.
Considering Yagba East now is not just equitable, it is imperative for nurturing trust, sustaining harmony, and fortifying the district against future discord.
YAGBA EAST
