By joshua RT. HON. UMAR AHMED IMAM: A SYMBOL OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
By; Amb. Abdulsalam Bawa DANGANA, Ph.D
Lokoja, Kogi State
In the evolving political landscape of Kogi State and Lokoja Local Government Area in particular, few names command the respect, experience and grassroots acceptance that Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam (Alfa Imam) commands. A former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, APC Leader of Lokoja LGA, and a man widely known as a bridge-builder, Imam has over the years defined himself not by titles, but by service.
1. A Democrat to the Core
Rt. Hon. Imam’s journey in the legislature is a lesson in democratic resilience. As Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, he presided over one of the most vibrant periods of legislative engagement in the state, where he insisted that legislation must be the fulcrum of democracy and development.
Even when faced with intense political trials, including the attempt to declare his seat vacant after his defection to contest the Lokoja/Kogi bye-election, he remained committed to constitutionalism and the rule of law. His return to the All Progressives Congress, APC in January 2026, where he declared “I am back home” and pledged total commitment to party stability, showed political maturity – putting community over personal ambition.
Today, as APC Leader in Lokoja LGA, he has transformed party leadership from mere control to inclusive consultation, bringing together stakeholders across ethnic groups, age and gender at the Galaxy Event Centre summit to deliberate on power rotation and equity.
2. A Champion of Community Development
For Hon. Imam, development is not a slogan; it is empowerment at the Wards and Polling Units levels.
His recent impactful empowerment of 120 indigent women and men across the 10 Wards of Lokoja LGA – Wards A-E, Kupa North, Kupa South, Oworo, Kakanda and Eggan – with N50,000 each, amounting to N6 million from his personal resources at his Mount Patti residence, is a clear testimony. It was not done in Government House, but in his community, for people who worked for the party at the grassroots.
He understands Lokoja because, he lives in Lokoja. His interventions in education, support for youth, and advocacy for security collaborations to tackle kidnapping in the state reflect a leader who feels the pulse of his people.
3. A Voice of Good Governance and Equity
Perhaps what distinguishes Rt. Hon. Imam most in this season is his statesmanship on good governance.
At the NUJ Press Centre in Lokoja on October 25, 2026, while declaring support for Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s second term bid in November 2027, he provided a balanced, democratic framework that many leaders avoid. He affirmed that power rotation among Kogi Central, East and West is a legitimate demand for equity and fairness, but that it should not be used to deny a performing incumbent his constitutionally permitted second term.
That position – principled, constitutional, and peaceful – is the hallmark of good governance. He did not play to the gallery; he spoke truth to build peace. His call for positive mindset and economic adjustment in the face of the new tax policy and economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration further shows a leader who prepares his people for the future, not one who deceives them.
CONCLUSION: The Gentle Giant of Lokoja Politics
Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam represents a rare combination: a grassroots mobilizer, a former presiding officer who understands separation of powers, and an elder who empowers without making noise.
In an era where many seek office for self, he seeks influence for community. For Lokoja LGA, he is not just an APC Leader; he is an institution – a symbol that community development is possible when democracy is practiced with good conscience, and good governance is pursued with the fear of God.
Lokoja is blessed to have Rt. Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam.
Amb. Abdulsalam Bawa DANGANA, Ph.D
Community Leader | Founder and Publisher of The Confluence Chronicles | Gender Advocate | Managing Consultant/CEO of ABWA Consults | Peace Ambassador | Public Affairs Analyst | Technical Adviser to CJTF, Kogi State Command
Feedback: abwaconsults@gmail.com | +2348073013599
© 01/11/2026