By joshua 
Ogori-Magongo’s Political Marginalisation: The Exploitation of Charity Ijese Omole and the Betrayal of Her People
By: Realwan Okpanachi , Esq., LL. B, BL., LL.M (Unilag)
The recent conclusion of the recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan marks the end of a bitter political battle that has exposed the deep political marginalisation of the Ogori-Mangogo community in Kogi State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally ended the recall process today, declaring it a failure after the petition failed to meet the constitutional threshold. Specifically, the signatures supporting the recall did not reach the required 50+1 percent of the registered voters in the senatorial district, with allegations of widespread forgery. This conclusion, while a victory for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, underscores a more significant issue; the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and the continued political exclusion of Ogori-Mangogo.
Throughout the turbulent eight years of Yahaya Bello’s administration and the present administration of his puppet political god-son, Usman Ododo, Ogori-Mangogo has endured long-standing political exclusion, with no representation in the Senate, the House of Representatives, or even in significant state appointments. Despite the community’s rich history and contributions, Ogori-Mangogo has been left behind, while the neighbouring Okene Local Government has monopolised the majority of Kogi State’s political and economic opportunities.
The political landscape of Kogi State is notably tilted in favour of Okene, where nearly all of the “juicy” appointments and influential roles are concentrated. From key government posts to representation in the national legislature, Okene has been the undisputed powerhouse, leaving Ogori-Mangogo sidelined and politically irrelevant. This imbalance has created a persistent and unresolved injustice, one that has left Ogori-Mangogo with no meaningful representation in the corridors of power.
In the midst of this ongoing political inequity, a strange and questionable development took place. Yahaya Bello, who is desperate to return to political office, attempted to secure a backdoor entry into the Senate by spearheading a recall effort aimed at unseating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, rather than leading this recall effort himself, it was Charity Ijese Omole, a daughter of Ogori-Mangogo, who was chosen to carry the burden of this task. Charity, ill-prepared for the magnitude of such a political struggle, found herself caught in a web of manipulation orchestrated by those far more powerful than she.
This situation raises a glaring paradox, why would Yahaya Bello, with all his self-arrogated political power and resources, not take the lead in this recall effort? Instead of directly confronting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, he chose to manipulate the process from behind the scenes, leaving Charity Omole to bear the brunt of the political fallout. Omole, naive and vulnerable in the face of such a challenge, was ill-equipped to take on the monumental task of leading a recall attempt that was doomed from the start. This stark reality highlights the depth of the exploitation involved, with a powerless individual being used as a pawn in a larger political game.
Even more baffling is the absence of leadership from Okene, the local government that has enjoyed the lion’s share of political power in Kogi State. Okene, which is home to some of the state’s most influential political figures, including the present governor and his lord-master and predecessor, Yahaya Bello, should have been at the forefront of this recall effort if they truly believed in its legitimacy. Yet, no prominent figures from Okene stepped forward to take responsibility, leaving Charity Omole to face the impossible task alone. This only serves to highlight the ongoing imbalance within Kogi Central, where some local governments are favoured and afforded every opportunity, while others like Ogori-Mangogo are left to fight for scraps.
The failure of the recall process, which has now officially ended in fiasco, underscores the unfairness and exploitation of Charity Ijese Omole. Ogori-Mangogo, with its proud heritage and vibrant community, deserves far better than to be reduced to a mere pawn in a political struggle. The marginalisation of Ogori-Mangogo in Kogi Central’s political framework has gone on long enough, and it is time for the people of Ogori-Mangogo to receive the fair representation and opportunities they have long been denied.
The treatment of Charity Ijese Omole, who was forced into a political struggle that she could not win, is an embarrassment to the entire Ogori-Mangogo community. Instead of being used as a tool for political gain, Charity should have been allowed to pursue a path that genuinely serves the interests of her people. This process should never have been about exploiting vulnerable individuals, but about ensuring that every community in Kogi State has a voice in the decisions that shape their future.
The failed recall effort is not just a political failure, but a stark reminder of the entrenched system of patronage and power consolidation that continues to dominate Kogi State. Yahaya Bello and his allies’ refusal to take responsibility for the recall process, and their exploitation of Charity Ijese Omole, deepens the sense of injustice felt by the people of Ogori-Mangogo. It is a clear signal that the political structures of Kogi State remain dominated by a few, while the voices of others are silenced.
The people of Ogori-Mangogo deserve better. They deserve fair representation, equal opportunities, and, most importantly, the dignity that comes with being treated as equals within the political system of Kogi Central. It is time for those in power to recognise the needs of all citizens, regardless of their region or background, and ensure that every community is given the opportunity to thrive. Only then can we truly hope for a politically inclusive and just future for Kogi State.