By Kogi Rebel
If you are a product of a system, you ought to operate by the spirit and letter of that system.
A system has sub systems and all of its apparatus work for the wholesomeness of that system. No single individual can be bigger than the system because if a sub is allowed to thrive above other subs, the system collapses.
Between 2016 to 2023, Alhaji Yahaya Bello collapsed aristocracy and elitism. He elevated ordinariness into sophistication. Children of nobodies became somebodies politically.
People who were meant to be carrying bags following politicians of old were made leaders in their own rights.
Individuals who were cheated, bankrupt and without community respect were rescued, polished and given a new lifeline.
If in another political tourney, the same system decides to favour others, especially people who had the same aspirations, desires and reality as yours, the Honorable thing to do which speaks to your character and appreciation is to support the same system for the benefits of others because like a snowball, it will come around again.
I write from a place of someone who had lived the pain of sacrificing for the system. I was favoured and picked by the benevolence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the position of my LGA Chairmanship. I went through DSS security checks and scaled. Just 24 hours to announcement, I was asked to step aside for future opportunities. It broke me, but I also understood that the same system had once benefitted me when my boss, His Excellency Chief Edward Onoja recommended me for the position of Chief Press Secretary at the age of 28, in the pool of other better experienced and qualified candidates. It was done under the structure of Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s philosophy of emphasizing youthfulness and capacity above family background or names. I do not think I would have had anyone who could lobby me into such position if barriers were not broken.
My reflection spurred me to staying out, doing more and growing through the disappointment because I believe that when a man’s time has come, all things would work in his favour.
When another person’s time has also come, staying put to deny them their own destiny may incur God’s wrath on you and also show the spirit of ingratitude and selfishness in you.
The secret of the current political stealthness in Kogi State is harnessed from the sophistication of bending individual interests into the collectivism of communal, compadre and visionary roadmap of prosperity for the future. If you go to Lagos, you will see this template. This is how strong leadership and mentorship is built which leaves a sustainable legacy. Forget the noise, the results would be visible over time.
This is one of the Yahaya Bello’s Political School of Thought which Governor Usman Ododo is consolidating on in Kogi State.
In his meekness and wisdom, he has resolved many wars without firing a bullet.
As we go into the primaries, remember where you started from as a politician. Power is sweet and desirable and everyone also wants a taste. You’re not special than your capacity and value. Value and capacity also come in generation of new leaders. We can have new wine in old wineskins because in the end, it is about the taste, quality and the distillery.
My name is Kogi Rebel, I just want to remind you to remember where you are coming from before you start energizing your supporters to cause trouble in the ongoing primaries because the system did not favour you. We are one family, we have an election which will protect everyone’s interest beyond who çarries the ticket of the party.
As followers,
The 2023 memory should still be fresh. Do not follow politicians who would not be there for you when the chips are down to offend a system which can do more for you. We saw how many people surrendered their loyalty to some leaders, they abandoned them after using them dry and some went overnight to bend the knee without consulting their followers.
The system have announced a direction, do not disrespect it because of them. They will only use you to offend the system and leave you hanging dry. Don’t throw away what you’ve laboured for. When they will go to reconcile, you won’t be carried along.
