A fresh political storm is brewing in Kogi State following explosive allegations by a coalition of political veterans under the Council of Kogi West Elders (COKOWE), who claim that a former deputy governor and a serving fourth-term member of the House of Representatives are beneficiaries of a controversial state-funded gratification scheme.
The group, in a strongly worded statement, accused unnamed political actors of orchestrating what it described as a sustained “haemorrhaging” of the state treasury, allegedly aimed at weakening the growing agitation for a power shift to Kogi West ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
According to COKOWE, both the former deputy governor and the serving federal lawmaker are allegedly receiving N100 million monthly payments from the Kogi State Government. The group further claimed that the arrangement includes luxury incentives, including brand new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs and foreign currency gifts, reportedly running into $100,000 during the Easter period.
The elders alleged that the payments are being funded through the state’s controversial “security vote,” which they claim has seen a noticeable increase in recent months to accommodate what they termed “new political commitments.”
While the identities of the individuals were not officially disclosed, the group hinted that the serving lawmaker represents a federal constituency in the South-West but has deep political ties to Kogi State, including a past role as a deputy governorship candidate.
COKOWE alleged that the purported financial inducements are part of a broader strategy to silence influential voices from Kogi West who have been at the forefront of the campaign for rotational governorship.
The agitation for power shift has intensified in recent months, particularly after Senator Sunday Steve Karimi reignited the debate at a civic event in Kabba, drawing attention to what many in the district describe as decades of political marginalisation.
Kogi West, largely inhabited by Okun-Yoruba speaking communities, has never produced a governor since the state’s creation nearly 35 years ago. In contrast, Kogi East has held power for 16 years, while Kogi Central is currently in its 12th year in office under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The elders argued that the current push to extend Kogi Central’s hold on power to 16 years has further deepened grievances and sharpened calls for equity.
The controversy gained further traction following comments by Kehinde Samuel Alamoh, a former APC chieftain, who revealed during a television interview that the lawmaker in question had directed his supporters to back the re-election of Governor Ododo.
COKOWE claims this position aligns with the alleged financial backing, suggesting a coordinated effort to undermine the zoning agitation.
The group also accused the former deputy governor of actively working against the interests of Kogi West through his involvement in a political platform identified as the Okun League of Progressive Elites (OLOPE), which is reportedly campaigning for Ododo’s second term.
Beyond the two figures, the elders further alleged that other politically exposed individuals have been drawn into what they described as a “bazaar of patronage.”
Among them is a senior academic figure currently serving as Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, who is also said to have received a luxury SUV. However, it remains unclear whether such individuals are also on recurring financial benefits.
COKOWE expressed deep concern over what it described as reckless spending at a time when the state continues to lag behind in critical development indices.
The group contrasted Kogi’s situation with other states that have reportedly made progress in infrastructure and welfare, attributing such advancements partly to improved federal allocations under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
They warned that continued diversion of public resources for political purposes would further impoverish citizens and erode trust in governance.
Despite the alleged attempts to suppress the agitation, the elders insisted that the demand for a Kogi West governor in 2027 remains non-negotiable.
They described the aspiration as a matter of justice, fairness, and political inclusion, noting that Kogi West has consistently played a decisive role in electoral outcomes in the state.
“No amount of selective bribery of a few individuals can override the collective will of the people,” the statement declared, adding that the struggle for equity would continue unabated.
As the allegations gain traction, pressure is mounting on the Kogi State Government and the individuals mentioned to respond publicly.
Analysts say the controversy, if substantiated, could have far-reaching implications for the state’s political landscape ahead of 2027, particularly on issues of zoning, governance accountability, and public trust.
For now, the claims remain unverified, but they have undoubtedly injected fresh tension into Kogi’s already complex political equation.