Why Equity, Shared Leadership, and Institutional Fairness Are Essential for Sustainable Development
Few issues generate as much passion in Kogi State as the question of political leadership. Yet, beyond elections, political parties, and personalities lies a far more profound conversation-one that concerns the character of our democracy and the future of our state. It is a conversation about equity, inclusion, institutional legitimacy, and the shared responsibility of building a Kogi State where every citizen and every community feels a genuine sense of belonging.
The growing aspiration for an Okun son or daughter to become Governor of Kogi State should therefore not be viewed merely through the lens of politics. Rather, it should be understood as part of a broader discussion about inclusive governance and sustainable state-building. At its core is a principle that has guided stable democracies across the world: societies become stronger when every significant component believes it has a fair opportunity to contribute to leadership and public service.
Kogi State was created in 1991 to unite diverse peoples with a common destiny. It is home to the Igala, Ebira, Okun, Bassa, Nupe and several other ethnic nationalities whose cultures, traditions and contributions have shaped the identity of the Confluence State. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths. However, diversity achieves its greatest value only when it is accompanied by a shared sense of ownership, mutual respect and confidence that every community has an equal stake in the future of the state.
History provides an important context for this conversation. Before the creation of Kogi State, the Okun people were part of the old Kwara State. Throughout that period, they did not have the opportunity to produce an elected governor. Since the creation of Kogi State more than three decades ago, Kogi West has likewise not produced an elected governor. This observation is not intended to diminish the contributions of leaders from other parts of the state, nor is it a criticism of those who have legitimately occupied the office. Rather, it raises a broader governance question: how should a diverse democracy respond when one of its major components has, over many decades and across two different states, never had the opportunity to occupy its highest elective office?
The answer cannot be resentment, nor should it be entitlement. Democracy is built neither on permanent exclusion nor automatic succession. It is built on fairness, equal opportunity and the freedom of citizens to choose leaders whom they consider competent, credible and capable of serving the common good. The objective is not to predetermine electoral outcomes but to nurture a political culture where every major component of the state can reasonably aspire to leadership based on merit, integrity, vision and the confidence of the electorate.
This is not a uniquely Kogi conversation. Around the world, plural societies have recognised that inclusion strengthens democratic institutions. Whether through constitutional arrangements, political conventions or shared democratic values, successful societies deliberately create opportunities that reinforce the confidence of all citizens in the fairness of their political system. When people believe that public institutions belong to everyone, they become more willing to support reforms, obey the law, invest in their communities and contribute to development.
Public administration equally teaches that legitimacy is one of the most valuable assets of government. Legitimacy is derived not only from elections but also from the public perception that institutions are fair, accessible and representative. Where citizens perceive fairness, trust grows. Where trust grows, cooperation becomes easier. Where cooperation flourishes, sustainable development becomes achievable.
These principles have profound implications for Kogi State. A political culture that assures every major ethnic nationality that leadership is genuinely attainable through democratic means strengthens unity rather than rivalry. It transforms diversity from a potential source of political competition into a foundation for collective progress.
Within this context, the aspiration for an Okun governor deserves thoughtful consideration. The strongest argument is not that history must simply be corrected. History alone is never sufficient justification for leadership. The stronger and more enduring argument is that inclusive leadership broadens the pool of talent, enriches governance with diverse perspectives and strengthens the legitimacy of democratic institutions. Every community benefits when leadership opportunities remain open to all who possess the competence, character and vision to serve.
More importantly, the conversation should not be framed around what the Okun people stand to gain. The more relevant question is what Kogi State stands to gain. Inclusive leadership is not a concession to one ethnic nationality; it is an investment in the long-term stability, unity and prosperity of the entire state.
For the Igala people, supporting the principle of inclusive leadership would represent an enduring legacy of statesmanship. It would demonstrate confidence that fairness and equity strengthen rather than diminish political influence. Political strength is not measured only by how long one community retains power; it can also be measured by its willingness to help build a system in which others can legitimately aspire to leadership.
For the Ebira people, whose son currently occupies the office of governor, embracing an inclusive leadership culture would reinforce the principle that political leadership is ultimately a trust held on behalf of the entire state. Supporting a fair and open political culture does not diminish the achievements of Ebira leadership. On the contrary, it can enhance its historical legacy by demonstrating that leadership can create space for others without fear or insecurity.
For the Okun people, however, the aspiration to produce a governor must equally be accompanied by a commitment to excellence. Leadership is not a reward for historical exclusion. It is a solemn responsibility to serve every citizen without prejudice. Any future governor from Kogi West must therefore govern as the Governor of Kogi State-not as the governor of one district, one ethnicity or one political constituency.
The standard must be high. Such leadership must demonstrate competence, integrity, strategic vision and an ability to bring people together. It must address the practical challenges facing Kogi State: education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, security, youth development, employment, investment and economic diversification. An Okun governor should not merely be good for the Okun people; the person should be demonstrably good for Kogi State.
There is another important dimension to this conversation. In a healthy democracy, citizens have the right to advocate peacefully for equity, inclusion and fair representation. Such advocacy should not attract hostility, ridicule or stigmatization. Respectful disagreement is an essential feature of democratic life, but no individual or community should be condemned simply for raising legitimate questions about fairness.
The pursuit of equity is not an attack on another community. Neither should an appeal for inclusion be automatically interpreted as ethnic hostility. Democracy thrives when ideas are debated on their merits rather than when those who express them are silenced, attacked or labelled. If a community believes that it has not enjoyed equitable access to political leadership, it should be able to express that concern peacefully and constitutionally.
Indeed, the right to advocate for equity is itself part of the democratic tradition. Equality before the law, equal citizenship and equal opportunity are among the principles that give democracy its moral foundation. We should therefore be careful not to create a political culture in which asking for fairness becomes itself a source of condemnation.
This principle benefits every ethnic nationality. Today, it may be the Okun people asking questions about political inclusion. Tomorrow, another community may find itself in a similar position. A political culture that protects the right of one community to advocate peacefully for equity ultimately protects everyone.
The greatest beneficiary of such an approach would be Kogi State itself. Inclusive leadership builds public confidence. Public confidence strengthens social cohesion. Social cohesion creates a more stable environment for investment and development. Strong institutions improve public service delivery, while trust between citizens and government makes difficult reforms easier to implement.
Equity should therefore never be mistaken for charity or political concession. It is an investment in institutional stability. It reassures citizens that the state belongs equally to all and that every child, regardless of ethnic origin or place of birth, can aspire to the highest office through merit, hard work and the confidence of the electorate.
As Kogi State continues its democratic journey, it has an opportunity to demonstrate that diversity is not a challenge to be managed but a strength to be harnessed. A state where every major ethnic nationality sees itself reflected in the possibilities of leadership is more likely to enjoy stronger institutions, deeper social cohesion and greater resilience.
Ultimately, the conversation about an Okun governor is not simply about who occupies the Government House after the next election. It is about the values that will define Kogi State for generations to come.
Will Kogi build a democratic culture where every community feels a genuine sense of belonging? Will it strengthen institutions that inspire trust across ethnic and political lines? Will it embrace leadership that unites rather than divides? And can the people of Kogi demonstrate that political inclusion and competence can exist together?
The answers to these questions will shape not only the future of the Okun people but also that of the Igala, the Ebira and every other community that proudly calls Kogi State home.
The aspiration for an Okun governor should therefore be understood not as an ethnic demand or political entitlement, but as an invitation to deepen the democratic ideals upon which enduring societies are built. It is an invitation to embrace a future where equity strengthens unity, inclusion reinforces legitimacy and leadership is measured not by where one comes from, but by the capacity to serve all.
If Kogi State can achieve that, the emergence of an Okun governor would not simply represent a victory for one community. It would represent something much bigger: a victory for equity, democratic maturity, inclusive leadership and the collective future of Kogi State.
About the Author
Amb. Alabi Temitope Olumuyiwa is an African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassador, a member of Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs), and a governance, public sector and organizational transformation consultant with over 25 years of experience in public policy, institutional reform, strategy and change management. He writes on governance, inclusive leadership and sustainable development.
Author’s Note: This article is not an endorsement of any political party, candidate, or electoral campaign. It is a reflection on the principles of inclusive leadership, institutional fairness, and equitable participation as essential pillars of democratic governance and sustainable development in Kogi State.