Omodara Cautions Karimi Over Divisive Politics, Calls for Unity and Strategic Dialogue in Okunland.
My attention has been drawn to certain misleading statements recently circulated and signed by one Prof. Daniel Bonire the spokesperson of an unknown group parading itself as “Kogi West Group”. These publications, clearly sponsored by desperate political elements, were aimed at distorting facts, maligning my person, and creating unnecessary tension within our senatorial district.
Ordinarily, I would have ignored such baseless propaganda. However, for the sake of clarity and to protect the public from deliberate misinformation, it is important to set the record straight.
Over the years, Kogi West has demonstrated loyalty and political maturity by aligning with other districts in the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. At different times, we have lent our support to the Eastern District, with the genuine hope that when the time comes, our gesture of goodwill would be reciprocated.
Unfortunately, those alliances have often been met with betrayal and disregard, leaving our people politically marginalized and economically side-lined.
The efforts of our past leaders, while we acknowledge and appreciate them, have not yielded the desired result to occupy the Luggard House. We must therefore, learn from the past mistakes by constructively engaging and aligning with other district.
As a proud son of Kogi West and a dedicated public servant, I have always placed the peace, unity, and progress of our state above personal or sectional interest. My record of service both in the military and as State Security Adviser to Kogi State under successive administrations, and presently under the purposeful leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has been guided by the principles of fairness, discipline, and absolute commitment to security and good governance.
It is, therefore, unfortunate that at a time when the government is consolidating on gains in peace, infrastructure, and economic stability, certain individuals, notably Senator Sunday Karimi, have chosen to pursue divisive and confrontational politics. Fluent English and eloquent grammar alone do not translate into development or political gain for our people.
What matters most is impact, the ability to deliver real progress, unity, and prosperity to our communities.
There was a protest in Yagba West, I visited the community and spoke of its probable political undertone. Surprisingly, there had not being any prior protest nor road blocks during kidnappings and killing of security operatives, who lost their lives in line of duty.
It is disheartening to know that through those three (3) days of road block and protests, the Senator neither called nor spoke with anyone in the government, including the Governor, Commissioner from his local government, Assembly Member representing his State Constituency, his Local Government Chairman and myself.
Rather, he deliberately went ahead to report me to several persons, including the Obaro of Kabba with a threat of reporting me to the highest security authority in the Country.
He intended for me to retract my statement which were based on facts, the political undertone of the protest and the fact that some Okun youth were involved in banditry and kidnapping by being logistics suppliers for the bandits.
Which were further proven through several arrests and confessional statement made by some of the locals apprehended, weeks after.
Despite these provocations, character attacks, mobilization of social media against my person and the series of derogatory text messages and insults personally sent to me by the Senator, I have chosen to remain calm, restrained, and focused on my duties. I have refrained from joining issues with him out of sheer respect, hence, I urge him to reciprocate same.
Leadership, to me, is not about shouting the loudest or displaying arrogance in the media. It is about exercising maturity, fostering peace, and prioritizing the collective good over personal ambition.
My restraint should not be mistaken for weakness, it is a conscious decision to protect the unity and image of Kogi West and the office he occupies.
At this critical time, what Kogi West needs is not rhetoric or rivalry, but synergy, genuine cooperation among elected and appointed officials, opinion leaders, traditional rulers, youth and women groups.
Only through unity can we pursue fairness, equity, and justice, and secure our rightful place in the political equation of Kogi State.
Those advocating alternative and alignment with the Eastern Senatorial District could provide the strong argument or evidence that Okun Nation will have 10% support votes for Okun candidate in 2027 Election.
Without mincing words and write it down that East will produce candidates for ADC and PDP in the 2027 Election. Take note, Governor Ododo has the constitutional right to seek re-election, while our great party the APC equally has the right of refusal to ticket for the Election.
Thus, if the East clinches the tickets of both PDP and ADC, where do we belong as a people? This calls for sober reflection and the need for Okun leaders to come together.
Let me emphasize that Okunland must move beyond internal divisions and personality clashes. Our collective aspiration for the governorship of Kogi State cannot be achieved through disunity or blackmail.
What we need is a sincere, strategic dialogue among all stakeholders; political, traditional, youth, and women leaders to articulate a common agenda that will position Kogi West credibly for the governorship after the eight-year tenure of His Excellency, Governor Ododo.
No region attains power through threats or propaganda. Progress comes through loyalty, unity of purpose, and constructive engagement with other zones. Kogi West must therefore speak with one voice, guided by maturity, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future.
As the State Security Adviser, my foremost responsibility remains the maintenance of peace and stability across all parts of the State.
I will continue to discharge this duty without fear or favour, and no amount of provocation, blackmail, or sponsored falsehood will distract me from that mission. It is important to know that security is a national concern and given the prevailing situation, the government of Kogi State is continuously making concerted efforts in tackling the insecurity issues, with synergy from all security agencies. Today, Kogi State happens to be the safest state when compared to other states in the North-Central.
One of the issues we are having is our failure to recognize the need for our resource control. Okun land no doubt is endowed with large commercial quantity of mineral resources, over 95% of investors in our land are non-indigenes and expatriates. How to harness these natural resources should be one of our priority agenda.
I call on all genuine leaders and stakeholders of Kogi West to disregard divisive elements and focus on building a stronger, united, and respected constituency that can take its rightful place in the political landscape of Kogi State.
I will rather advise the Professor with his faceless group to put to use his intellectual by joining other notable individuals, leaders, and stakeholders to create enabling environment for discussions.
Their comments on security situation of Kogi State seems to lack current security realities in Kogi State and the country as a whole.
Rather than name calling, the said Professor Bonire should as a matter of urgency advise the Senator to bring Okun people to the round table and strengthen Kogi West meetings, as we used to have. As there is no politicking without dialogue which is missing in his political agenda since two years.
I enjoin the Senator to as a matter fact;
• Collaborate with other leaders both elected and appointed in tackling insecurity in the State, particularly Kogi West which he represents.
• Call a meeting of Kogi West, especially the Okun nation on way forward for Okun.
• He must learn from history, synergize with the government of the day for the sake of economic and political development of Kogi West.
• I advise he engage less on social media, no sincere unity can be achieved through social media wars.
• Dispense his energy on taking advantage of the ongoing INEC registration to mobilize Kogi West and the Okun Nation, as we currently have the lowest number of registered voters in the State.
Kogi belongs to all of us. Together, let us work for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous state.
Signed:
Commander Duro Jerry Omodara (Rtd.)
State Security Adviser, Kogi State
