By joshua 
A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE AND PASSIONATE APPEAL FROM THE GOOD AND PATIENT PEOPLE OF LOKOJA/KOGI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY
*TO: HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR*
*TO: THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP, ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)*
*TO: THE LEADERSHIP AND STAKEHOLDERS OF KOGI STATE APC*
*TO: THE DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE*
*Date: 30 April, 2026*
*SUBJECT: HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SON, AMB. AUDU-RAFIU OLUSOLA ENIKANOLAIYE ON HIS MINISTERIAL NOMINATION AND A SOLEMN PLEA FOR EQUITY – ZONE THE KOGI WEST SENATE SEAT TO LOKOJA/KOTO AXIS*
With hearts full of joy, pride, and profound gratitude, we, the entire good and patient people of Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, comprising Lokoja and Kogi Local Government Areas, rise as one to celebrate the historic nomination of our brother, an Okun patriot, and a global diplomatic icon, *Ambassador Audu-Rafiu Olusola “Shola” Enikanolaiye,* as *Minister of State for Foreign Affairs* by Your Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
*1. WE CELEBRATE A TRUE SON OF OKUNLAND*
Amb. Audu-Rafiu Olusola Enikanolaiye is not just a Ministerial Nominee. He is Okunland’s finest gift to Nigeria’s diplomacy. Born 66yrs ago in Igbagun, Yagba East LGA of Kogi State, a First-Class Scholar from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and a distinguished Oxford-trained diplomat who has flown Nigeria’s flag with honour in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi for over four decades.
Your Excellency, you have not just appointed a Man; you have validated merit, competence, and Okunland’s long-standing loyalty to the progressive family. For this, Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency says THANK YOU. We assure you that Amb. Shola Enikanolaiye will bring honour, depth, and strategic brilliance to your foreign policy architecture.
*2. OUR SOLEMN APPEAL: COMPLETE THE CYCLE OF EQUITY IN KOGI WEST SENATE SEAT*
Mr. President Sir, Distinguished Leaders, as we rejoice with Okunland, we come to you on bended knees with a passionate, historic, and moral appeal for balance, equity, justice, and inclusion.
*THE FACTS ARE SACRED AND INCONTROVERTIBLE:*
1. *Okunland Has Been Honoured:* With Amb. Audu-Rafiu Olusola Enikanolaiye’s nomination, Okunland now produces two powerful federal appointments (INEC Chairman and a Minister) in this administration. This is historic. Okun has also produced Senators repeatedly since 2007.
2. *Lokoja/Koto Axis Has Been Faithful but Forgotten:* Lokoja, the state capital and gateway to Nigeria, together with our brothers in Koton-Karfe, have remained the backbone of APC victories in Kogi West Senatorial District. Yet, since 2007, *no Son or Daughter of Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency has ever again occupied the Kogi West Senate seat.* 20 years of democracy. 20 years of waiting. 20 years of loyalty without reward.
3. *The Imbalance Is Clear:* The Senate seat has rotated between Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu, Yagba and Mopamuro. The Lokoja/Koto axis, with its huge voting population, strategic location, and historical significance as the Confluence of Nigeria, has been completely shut out. This is not democracy. This is not fairness. This is not the Renewed Hope we voted for.
*THEREFORE, WE MAKE THIS PASSIONATE PLEA:*
1. *To President Tinubu:* Sir, you are the father of modern equity politics. You taught us that power must rotate to give all a sense of belonging. As you have honoured Okunland with a Minister and earlier with INEC chairman, we beg you to use your revered moral authority to ensure the *Kogi West Senate ticket for 2027 is Zoned to Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency.* Let the Lokoja/Koto axis feel the Renewed Hope too.
2. *To APC National and State Leadership:* We have delivered for the party. We delivered Lokoja LGA and Kogi LGA in the Presidential, Governorship, and National Assembly elections. We ask for just one thing: *Fairness.* Zone the Senate seat to us in 2027. Do not let the conspiracy of silence continue. What is good for Okun Axis is also good for Lokoja/Koto Axis.
3. *To Our Okun Brothers and Sisters:* We rejoice with you on Amb. Shola Enikanolaiye. Indeed, when one part of Kogi West is lifted, we all rise. Now we ask you to stand with us as brothers. Support zoning the Senate seat to Lokoja/Koto Axis in 2027. Power is not to be monopolized. It is to be shared. Our unity is stronger than our ambitions.
*3. WHY LOKOJA/KOTO AXIS DESERVES THE SENATE SEAT*
1. *Loyalty:* We have never betrayed the progressive cause. From AD to AC, ACN, and CPC to APC, Lokoja/Koto has stood firm.
2. *Population and Votes:* Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency delivers the single largest bloc of votes in Kogi West. We are the decider of elections.
3. *Historical Justice:* Lokoja is not just a town; it is where Nigeria was Amalgamated. It is a National Monument. To deny it a Senate seat for 20 years is to deny Nigeria’s history.
4. *Competence:* We have Sons and Daughters with the intellect, exposure, and grassroots appeal to give Kogi West quality representation. Give us the chance and we will not fail.
5. *Balance:* You cannot have two juicy positions (a Minister and INEC chairman) from one bloc and zero senators from another bloc in the same Senatorial District. Equity demands balance.
*4. OUR PLEDGE*
As we congratulate Amb. Enikanolaiye, we pledge our 100% loyalty to President Tinubu, to the APC, and to the unity of Kogi West and Kogi State. We will mobilize, we will campaign, and we will deliver again in 2027. But we beg you: *Let us deliver with dignity. Let us deliver with a Senate ticket in our hands.*
Mr. President Sir, the whole World is watching. History is recording. The Confluence State is waiting. Let it be said that under President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 26-year political marginalization of Lokoja/Koto Axis was finally broken.
We have celebrated Okunland today. Tomorrow, let Nigeria celebrate Lokoja/Koto.
*God bless Ambassador Audu-Rafiu Olusola Enikanolaiye!*
*God bless Okunland!*
*God bless Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency!*
*God bless Kogi West Senatorial District!*
*God bless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR!*
*God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!*
*E-signed:*
Concerned Elders, Youth and Women
*For, and on behalf of the Good and Patient People of Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency.*
*Cc:*
1. The APC National Chairman, Abuja, FCT.
2. The Senate President, National Assembly, Abuja, FCT.
3. The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Lokoja, Kogi State.
4. The APC Kogi State Chairman, Lokoja, Kogi State.
5. The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Abuja, FCT.
6. Ministerial Nominee, Amb. Audu-Rafiu Olusola Enikanolaiye