By Taiwo Ajayi.
Senator Smart Adeyemi’s recent remarks praising former Governor Yahaya Bello as a “strong political force” ahead of 2027 have stirred fresh debate across Kogi State. At the APC Mega Endorsement Rally, Adeyemi described Bello’s presence as a spark that “reignited excitement” and highlighted a supposed legacy of youth empowerment and grassroots development.
But for many Kogites, these claims raise more questions than answers.
After Governor Ibrahim Idris completed his tenure, he quietly vacated the Government House, despite being instrumental in bringing in Governor Idris Wada. Today, the story is dramatically different: former Governor Yahaya Bello still occupies the Government House while the sitting Governor, Usman Ododo, resides elsewhere. This is not only unprecedented—it is emblematic of the confusion and structural imbalance that now define governance in the state.
Commissioners appointed under the Bello administration have remained in office for close to nine years. If this is the development Adeyemi applauds, then the senator may need to reassess his understanding of governance. Local governments have deteriorated so badly that some cannot construct a simple culvert. The decay is visible. The neglect is real.
Even in Okunland, where one of our own has served as Security Adviser for nearly a decade, communities continue to suffer persistent attacks, killings, and destruction. The question many ask is simple: what exactly has changed? And more importantly, who benefits from this arrangement?
Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, who should naturally be pushing for an Okun governor, has remained silent on the matter. Meanwhile, Kogi’s political structure appears increasingly skewed toward a tight circle of Yahaya Bello’s allies. Critical appointments—state and federal—are concentrated among a few, including agencies like HYPADIC.
Yet, Senator Adeyemi insists on projecting Yahaya Bello as the architect of grassroots transformation.
Adeyemi should wake up from his dreams. Helping to bail out Yahaya Bello in difficult moments does not give him the authority to take Kogites for granted. His recent comments reflect the posture of a lone ranger—speaking for himself, not for the people who have borne the weight of governance failures in silence.
Kogites know the truth of their daily realities. No amount of political speech can erase the lived experience of communities yearning for fairness, balanced development, and a government that truly represents all.
– Taiwo Ajayi writes from Kabba
