In an address to Americans by Franklin D. Roosevelt, at Marietta, Ohio on July 08, 1938, the former US president said, “let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.” A deep thought on this statement leaves me with the mentality that I am a stakeholder in my state and Nigeria as a citizen and or a voter. With that, I should be part of the making of a better Kogi State through supports for His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello whom God has gifted us in marking our turning point as a people, and the bigger project I foresaw long ago.
Haven’t proven himself to be the leader we had long longed for in Kogi State and the man positioned to wipe off the tears of Nigerians, I found it pertinent to meet with the governor; first to appreciate his giant strides in the state and offer my cup of assurance for the triumph ahead at the national level.
As a patriotic citizen who wouldn’t seat on the fence, I have been in the public domain canvassing for Governor Yahaya Bello. And with the trust I have in his capacity looking at his deliveries in Kogi State, I had gone before everyone to announce the need to have governor Bello as the president of Nigeria. This birthed the popular phrase “undelegated sycophant.”
Of course, it was not from any official table that the discussion emerged but from my passion for the governor and the vision to see him become the leader of our dear nation, to fix the country as Kogi is being fixed. I said what I was never sent to say but I meant what I said. Saying it of my own makes me perhaps “undelegated sycophant,” but I believe the thought must have come from God and it’s gradually manifesting.
We wouldn’t need an ocean of words to sell governor Bello to Nigerians. His achievements speak louder than words and they are visible to the blinds.
It has to be governor Bello because of how he has been able to tackle the three major challenges hampering progress in Nigeria in Kogi State. And if he could handle them at the state level, to replicate the same at the national level wouldn’t be somewhat tough.
I need not say much on how the governor conquered insecurity in Kogi State as he is known by many Nigerians as an icon of security. You can’t talk about security in States without mentioning the champion of security is governor Bello.
Kogi seems to be the most peaceful state in Nigeria. It’s the same state that was once a base for terrorists. With Yahaya Bello, terrorism which appears to be the greatest menace in Nigeria today will become a forgotten issue.
Nigeria has a big issue with religious tolerance. Governor Bello built a chapel in the government house for the Christian fateful even as a Muslim. Again, he is a statue of religious tolerance. He has done thanksgiving in the Church and has hosted several Christian leaders as well as offering them necessary supports to carry on their gospel. He will replicate such peaceful coexistence among religious groups.
Kogi has become a one-tribe state which is termed EBIGO. The governor has united several ethnic groups and gave everyone the sense of belonging they need. When this is achieved in Nigeria, the cries of marginalization will stop. The spirit of one will be awakened. I don’t see the country going forward without conquering ethnic troubles.
As the governor with the youngest personal assistant, and the only state with a woman as an SSG, it is without an iota of doubt that Alhaji Yahaya Bello is a leader of all ages and gender. The youth would not be left behind and the women will be at the forefront in the national scheme of things.
I want to see the young people taking over the leadership of this country. And without search, I have seen the pathfinder in the person of Governor Bello. We long for a unified Nigeria and the unifier comes.
With Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Nigeria will be without ethnic marginalization. I won’t be seen as an Igala but a Nigerian. We would have peace of mind and above all, we would have the freedom to follow our beliefs.
As a social media crusader and grassroots mobilizer, I will do much in spreading the gospel of the coming of GYB. I also look forward to joining forces with other youth groups in campaigning for GYB.
However, the chunk of my contribution to the campaign will come from my strength as a public driver in the federal capital, Abuja. I shall be speaking one on one to transporters and using my transport medium as a transit advert with campaign posters.
Plans are also afoot from my end to form a drivers group for the actualization of GYB2PYB. This will be a strategic campaign team as members will leverage their daily interactions with hundreds of passengers to market the vision of GYB as well as using their vehicles for posters.
In a critical time such as this, we must work to pave way for good leaders to emerge, or else, bad leaders will push their way up. It’s time for the youth and it’s my responsibility to make it a reality.
As a citizen and a voter, the onus is on me to decide who the leader of the country should be. We have seen the good works of GYB and we can’t afford to support him as it’s said that a good turn deserves another.
I stand with GYB to PYB.
– Amb. Ilemona Tboss writes from Abuja.
